Combined alpha-2C-interferon/VMCP polychemotherapy versus VMCP polychemotherapy as induction therapy in multiple myeloma: a prospective randomized trial.
Thirty-three previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma were randomized to either a combination of recombinant interferon-alpha-2C (rIFN-alpha-2C) plus vincristine/melphalan/cyclophosphamide and prednisone (VMCP) or VMCP chemotherapy alone. The combined regimen effected 67% responses and 26% minor responses, while 35 and 47% of VMCP-treated patients had a pathologically documented remission, respectively. Despite the somewhat earlier achievement and duration (12.0 vs. 8.0 months) of objective response, and the marginal survival benefit observed in the rIFN-alpha-2C + VMCP treatment arm, a significant improvement in therapeutic gain by adding a biologic response modifier to conventional first-line polychemotherapeutic drug treatment in myeloma patients has not yet been achieved. The combined regimen was well tolerated without unusual or unexpected toxic effects.
Scheithauer
W
W
Department of Internal Medicine II, Vienna University School of Medicine, Austria.
Cortelezzi
A
A
Fritz
E
E
Kührer
I
I
Polli
E
E
Baldini
L
L
Ludwig
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008558:Melphalan; D011241:Prednisone