title: Induction treatment with alpha-interferon in multiple myeloma: an interim report from MGCS.
abstract: A randomized study comparing melphalan/prednisone (M/P) therapy with MP + natural alpha-IFN in untreated patients with multiple myeloma stages II and III started April 1, 1986. By March 1989, 78 patients were evaluable in the MP group and 80 in the MP/IFN group. 48% of the MP patients achieved a response and 66% in the MP/IFN group (p = 0.04). Stage II patients responded better to MP/IFN (76%) than MP alone (47%) (p = 0.02), while no statistically significant difference was noted for stage III patients. 90% of the IgA myelomas responded to MP/IFN and 52% to MP (p = 0.02). Both for IgG and BJ myelomas the response rates of MP/IFN were higher than of MP, although the differences were not statistically significant. The observation period is still short. There was no difference in total survival between the two treatment groups. However, in patients less than or equal to 65 years a tendency to a longer survival was seen for those receiving the IFN combination (p = 0.12).
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mellstedt
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Osterborg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Björkholm
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Björeman
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brenning
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gahrton
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grimfors
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gyllenhammar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hast
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Johansson
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D008558:Melphalan; D011241:Prednisone