title: Combination therapy of M2-protocol and interferon-alpha as remission induction in refractory multiple myeloma.
abstract: A successful induction of remission in two patients with resistant multiple myeloma using a new combination therapy of modified M-2 protocol and interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is described. The first case was a 32-year-old man with K type urinary Bence-Jones protein who became resistant after treatment with melphalan and prednisone (MP protocol). IFN-alpha alone had a marginal response. The modified M-2 protocol proved insufficient. Therefore, IFN-alpha was administered in the interval of M-2 protocol. This combination therapy showed remarkable responses. The second case was a 59-year-old woman with advanced IgA myeloma who was treated with M-2 protocol and became resistant. IFN-alpha alone resulted in a slight response. After addition of IFN-alpha to the modified M-2 protocol, a rapid reduction in the level of serum IgA was found and clinical symptoms including bone pain, anaemia and so on were dramatically improved. No infection and/or intolerable side effects were observed in either case. This combination treatment appears worthy to try in cases of resistant or relapsing myeloma patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Saga Medical School, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimamoto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsuzaki
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ono
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002330:Carmustine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000628:therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008558:Melphalan; D002330:Carmustine; D011241:Prednisone