Prospective randomised study of double hemi-body irradiation with and without subsequent maintenance recombinant alpha 2b interferon on survival in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.
Immediately before first hemi-body irradiation, 59 patients with relapsed multiple myeloma were randomised to receive or not to receive subsequent alpha-2b interferon maintenance. 13 patients (22%) [8 of 31 (26%) controls, 5 of 28 (18%) in the interferon arm] received single hemi-body irradiation alone due to progressive disease and/or persistent cytopoenias following the initial procedure. Mean time between upper and lower hemi-body irradiation was 69 days (range 35-294). Of 23 patients randomised to receive interferon and completing double hemi-body irradiation, 15 (65%) achieved peripheral blood counts adequate to allow interferon administration as per study criteria commencing at a mean 116 days (61-241) from time of study entry. The mean period of interferon therapy, starting at a mean 65 days (26-160) post second hemi-body irradiation, is 16.4 months (2-33.5). There was no significant difference in median survival durations (10 months) from time of initial radiotherapy between control and interferon patients.
Giles
F J
FJ
University College Hospital, London.
McSweeney
E N
EN
Richards
J D
JD
Tobias
J S
JS
Gaminara
E J
EJ
Grant
I R
IR
Kearney
J W
JW
Newland
A C
AC
Parker
N E
NE
Schey
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000628:therapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015996:Survival Rate
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins