title: Intermediate dose of intravenous melphalan in advanced multiple myeloma.
abstract: Eighteen patients with advanced multiple myeloma resistant to VAD chemotherapy (vincristine, Adriamycin, dexamethasone) were treated with intravenous melphalan in a single-pulse dose of 50-70 mg/m2. Objective response (greater than or equal to 50% reduction of the monoclonal protein) was observed in 9 patients. The median duration of remission in the responding patients was 6 months and the median survival 11.5 months. The main toxicity noted was bone marrow suppression. We conclude that intermediate doses of intravenous melphalan are a useful therapeutic modality in refractory or relapsing myeloma patients.
authors.affiliation: Greek Anticancer Institute, Athens.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsakanikas
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Papanastasiou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stamatelou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maniatis
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004317:Doxorubicin; D008558:Melphalan