A randomized multicentric study comparing alternating combination chemotherapy (VCMP/VBAP) and melphalan-prednisone in multiple myeloma.
Between January 1985 and December 1988, 386 patients with multiple myeloma were randomized to receive either MP or combination chemotherapy based on alternating cycles of VCMP and VBAP. The major prognostic parameters did not differ significantly between both treatment groups. A significantly higher proportion of objective responses was observed with combination chemotherapy as compared to MP (47.8 vs 32.2, P = 0.01). The median survival for all patients was 33.5 months. So far no significant differences were found when comparing the survival curves from both groups of patients. However, the median survival of MP-treated patients is 26.8 months, whereas the median survival of patients receiving VCMP/VBAP has not yet been reached. The definitive analysis must await the evaluation of all patients entered into the study and a longer follow-up time.
Bladé
J
J
PETHEMA: Spanish Cooperative Group for Hematological Malignancies Treatment, Hospital Clínico y Provincial, Barcelona, Spain.
San Miguel
J
J
Alcalá
A
A
Maldonado
J
J
García-Conde
J
J
Moro
M J
MJ
Sanz Sanz
M A
MA
Alonso
C
C
Zubizarreta
A
A
Besses
C
C
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002330:Carmustine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008558:Melphalan; D002330:Carmustine; D011241:Prednisone