【Abstract】Objective To observe the efficacy and adverse reactions of bortezomib-based chemotherapy in the treatment for elderly multiple myeloma (MM) and MM with abnormal renal function through retrospective analysis. Methods A total of 46 MM patients with a median age of 69 years (ranging from 60 to 75 years) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2007 to December 2012 were enrolled in this retrospective study. They were divided into 2 groups based on their renal function, abnormal renal function group (n=14) and normal renal function group (n=32), and also assigned into newly diagnosis group (n=25) and retreatment group (n=21). They all received a bortezomib-based chemotherapeutic regimen. The overall reaction rate (ORR) was compared between different groups after 2 or 4 courses of treatment. The related adverse reactions were recorded. Results Among 46 patients, the ORR was 88.0% (22/25) and 76.2%(16/21) respectively in newly diagnosis group and retreatment group after 2 courses of treatment (P>0.05), and was 90.0% (9/10) and 75.0%(15/20) respectively after 4 courses, with significant difference between the 2 groups (P<0.01). The ORR was 90.9% (10/11) and 73.7%(14/19) respectively for abnormal renal function group and normal renal function group after 4 courses of treatment, and there was no significant difference between them (P>0.05). The related adverse reactions were mainly peripheral neuritis, gastrointestinal tract reaction, thrombocytopenia, etc, and were all well controlled after symptomatic treatment. Conclusion The efficacy of bortezomib-based regimen is favorable in the treatment of the elderly patients with MM; and with the increase of treatment courses, the efficacy is enhanced. For those with renal insufficiency, bortezomib should be used as early as possible to correct renal dysfunction and improve patient’s quality of life. The bortezomib-based chemotherapeutic regimen is of quite safety for the elderly with MM.