Samarium Sm 153 Lexidronam Pentasodium and Bortezomib in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Diagnosis of multiple myeloma

Relapsed or refractory disease

Measurable or evaluable disease as defined by at least 1 of the following:

Serum monoclonal protein ≥ 1.0 g by protein electrophoresis
Monoclonal protein ≥ 200 mg by 24-hour urine electrophoresis
Serum immunoglobulin free light chain ≥ 10 mg/dL AND abnormal serum immunoglobulin kappa to lambda free light chain ratio
Monoclonal bone marrow plasmacytosis ≥ 30% (evaluable disease)

Previously treated disease

No limit to prior therapy provided there is adequate residual organ function
Must have undergone hematopoietic stem cell collection (for transplant candidates) OR not considered to be a hematopoietic stem cell transplant candidate

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

ECOG performance status (PS) 0-2 (ECOG PS of 3 allowed if secondary only to pain)
Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm^3
Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL (transfusion allowed)
ANC ≥ 1,000/mm^3
Creatinine ≤ 3 mg/dL
Calcium ≤ 15 mg/dL
Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after completion of study therapy
No impending long bone fracture
No other active malignancy except nonmelanoma skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or breast cancer
No uncontrolled infection
No known hypersensitivity to any of the components of study drugs
No other co-morbidity that would preclude study participation

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Recovered from prior surgery, radiotherapy, or other antineoplastic therapy
No prior samarium Sm 153 lexidronam pentasodium or strontium chloride Sr 89
At least 3 weeks since prior myelosuppressive agents
At least 2 weeks since prior nonmyelosuppressive agents (e.g., thalidomide)

At least 2 weeks since prior and no concurrent high-dose corticosteroids

Chronic steroids (maximum dose of 20 mg/day prednisone or equivalent) allowed for disorders other than myeloma (i.e., adrenal insufficiency or rheumatoid arthritis)
At least 30 days since prior and no other concurrent investigational therapy
No concurrent external beam radiotherapy
No concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy

No other concurrent systemic antineoplastic therapy including, but not limited to, any of the following:

Immunotherapy
Hormonal therapy
Monoclonal antibody therapy