- Induction therapy: Patients receive bortezomib IV over 3-5 seconds and dexamethasone IV or orally on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 and oral thalidomide once daily on days 1-21 (course 1). For course 2 and all subsequent courses, patients receive arsenic trioxide IV over 1-2 hours, ascorbic acid IV over 15 minutes, bortezomib IV over 3-5 seconds, and dexamethasone IV or orally on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 and thalidomide once daily on days 1-21. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients who achieve a plateau in response proceed to maintenance therapy.