Treatment of refractory multiple myeloma with the vincristine-adriamycin-dexamethasone (VAD) regimen.
Seventeen patients with advanced refractory multiple myeloma were treated with a 4-day continuous infusion of vincristine and adriamycin in combination with 4-day intermittent high-dose dexamethasone (VAD). Ten patients entered a partial remission (59%). Complete remission was not achieved in any patients. The median response duration was 11 months and the median survival of the responding patients was 18 months versus 5 months for non-responders. Major complications during VAD treatment were infections probably due to a combination of myelosuppression and intensive corticosteroid therapy. The VAD regimen offers a useful chemotherapy that produces an overall high response rate even in intensively pretreated patients resistant to first line therapy. The treatment results in a clear tendency to longer survival in responding patients.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Münster, Federal Republic of Germany.
W
W
Stenzinger
A
A
Blömker
W
W
Hiddemann
J
J
van de Loo
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity
D014750:Vincristine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004317:Doxorubicin