Multiple myeloma in central and northern Norway 1981-1982: a follow-up study of a randomized clinical trial of 5-drug combination therapy versus standard therapy.
In a randomized study of 92 previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma, the intention was to document the possible beneficial effect of combination chemotherapy including vincristine, carmustine, alkylating agents and prednisone, as compared to conventional therapy with melphalan and prednisone. Major prognostic factors did not differ significantly between the treatment groups. With the 2-drug therapy and 5-drug combination therapy, 48 and 54% of the patients achieved remission, respectively. Median survival for patients treated with the 2-drug regimen and 5-drug regimen was 29 and 33.5 months, respectively. No significant difference was found between the survival curves for stage III patients treated with the two regimens. After 12 months, patients who had achieved remission were randomized to have treatment discontinued or to have maintenance treatment. The numbers of relapses, remission duration and survival of the two groups were similar.
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D009664:Norway; D011897:Random Allocation; D012074:Remission Induction