Combination of interferon and dexamethasone in refractory multiple myeloma.
The present pilot study was designed to analyse the efficacy and toxicity of the association of interferon (IFN) and dexamethasone (Dx) in 32 resistant and relapsed myeloma patients. Among the evaluable cases, 15 (68 per cent) responded to treatment (32 per cent achieved an objective response--OR--and 36 per cent a partial response--PR--), the 'remission' status lasting for more than one year in six of them. Moreover, four out of the seven OR patients showed a reduction in B.M. plasma cells to less than 5 per cent. Five out of 11 patients that were previously refractory to VBAD, that includes high dose dexamethasone (Dx), responded to IFN-Dx. The protocol was generally well tolerated with only four patients discontinuing therapy due to adverse effects. The present results show that the combination IFN + Dx is a promising therapeutic approach for patients with refractory myeloma.
Department of Haematology, Hospitales Clinicos Salamanca, Spain.
J F
JF
San Miguel
M
M
Moro
J
J
Bladé
L
L
Guerras
J
J
Hernandez
R
R
Jimenez-Galindo
F
F
Ortega
M
M
Gonzalez
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D003907:Dexamethasone