Bortezomib, Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome, and Thalidomide as First-line Therapy in Treating Patients With Previously Untreated Stage I, II, or III Multiple Myeloma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Diagnosis of stage I, II, or III multiple myeloma requiring therapy

No prior systemic therapy for multiple myeloma

Patients who have received steroids or radiotherapy for cord compression or spinal cord disease are eligible for this study
Patients who have received 1 prior course of antimyeloma therapy may be enrolled at the investigator's discretion provided disease progression is not noted

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

Karnofsky performance status 60-100%
Platelet count ≥ 75,000 cells/mm^3 (< 75,000 cells/mm^3 secondary to extensive bone marrow disease allowed at the PI's discretion with appropriate transfusion support)
ANC ≥ 1,000 cells/mm^3
Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL (< 8 g/dL secondary to extensive bone marrow disease allowed at the PI's discretion with appropriate transfusion support)
Creatinine clearance > 20 mL/min
AST and ALT ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) OR ≤ 3 times ULN (in the presence of liver metastases)
Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2 times ULN OR ≤ 3 times ULN (in the presence of liver metastases)
Total bilirubin ≤ 2 times ULN OR ≤ 3 times ULN (in the presence of liver metastases)
Ejection fraction ≥ 50% by MUGA or 2-D echocardiogram
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use at least 1 highly effective and 1 additional effective contraception method 4 weeks prior to, during, and 3 months after completion of study therapy
HIV-negative
Must have sufficient mental capacity to understand the explanation of the study and to provide informed consent
Willingness and ability to comply with the FDA-mandated S.T.E.P.S. program

Exclusion criteria:

Pregnant or lactating
Active, serious infections uncontrolled by antibiotics
Any medical condition or reason that, in the investigator's opinion, makes the patient unsuitable to participate in this clinical trial
History of hypersensitivity reactions attributed to a conventional formulation of doxorubicin hydrochloride or the components of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome or bortezomib, boron, or mannitol

Any of the following conditions:

History of uncontrolled New York Heart Association class II-IV heart disease or clinical evidence of congestive heart failure
Myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
Uncontrolled angina
Severe uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmias, ECG evidence of acute ischemia, or active conduction system abnormalities
Peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

See Disease Characteristics