The use of low-dose prednisone and melphalan in the treatment of poor-risk patients with multiple myeloma.
A study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of prednisone therapy in poor-risk patients with multiple myeloma. Patients were treated with melphalan alone or in combination with prednisone at doses of either 0.6 mg/kg or 0.3 mg/kg. The group of patients receiving melphalan and prednisone 0.6 mg/kg had significantly improved responses in hemoglobin, lowering of the M-protein concentration, and reduction of azotemia. Significant benefits attributable to prednisone were not demonstrated in the group receiving 0.3 mg/kg. Good responses have been shown to produce improved survival. The combination of melphalan and prednisone is effective in producing good responses, but the dose of steroids is important. A dose of prednisone of 0.6 mg/kg in gradually decreasing doses has been found to be effective in production of good responses, especially in the uremic patient.
D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012306:Risk; D014511:Uremia / Q000150:complications
D008558:Melphalan; D011241:Prednisone