Paricalcitol and Zoledronate in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma or Other Plasma Cell Disorders

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM) or other plasma cell disorder (PCD)

  • At least one previous treatment for MM or PCD required

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Performance status

• ECOG 0-2 OR
• Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy

• At least 3 months

Hematopoietic

• Not specified

Hepatic

• Not specified

Renal

• Calcium ≤ 10.5 mg/dL
• No renal stone formation within the past 5 years for patients who have had curative therapy for a condition associated with the risk of stones (e.g., hyperparathyroidism, bladder dysfunction, obstructive uropathy) OR had a single episode of confirmed urolithiasis
• No calculi in urinary tract confirmed by renal ultrasonography, kidney, ureter, and bladder (KUB) x-ray, or other imaging modality

Cardiovascular

• No symptomatic congestive heart failure
• No unstable angina pectoris
• No uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia

Other

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during study and for 3 months after study completion
• No osteonecrosis of the jaw
• No history of allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition of calcitriol, paricalcitol, or zoledronate
• No uncontrolled intercurrent illness that would preclude study compliance
• No ongoing or active infection
• No psychiatric illness or social situation that may preclude study compliance

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Chemotherapy

• More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy

Endocrine

• More than 4 weeks since prior high-dose steroids

Other

• No other concurrent investigational agents or therapies for multiple myeloma or plasma cell disorders
• No concurrent digoxin