title: Treatment of multiple myeloma with M-2 protocol and without maintenance therapy.
abstract: From September 1975 to December 1981, 63 consecutive untreated patients with multiple myeloma received the Lee M-2 protocol. We used the same drugs (melphalan, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, BCNU and prednisone) but employed the lowest suggested doses and recycled earlier, i.e. after 21-28 days. Thirty-five patients (62.5%) were in stage III, 16 (28.6%) in stage II and 5 (8.9%) in stage I. An objective response (reduction in paraprotein production rate greater than 50%) was obtained in 44 out of 56 cases (78%); 32 (57%) had a reduction greater than 75%. The median duration of response was 21.5 months. In responding patients the treatment was stopped after 1 yr and resumed only at relapse. Twenty-two out of 25 retreated patients are now evaluable. Eighteen of them (82%) responded again; in retreatment the degree of response was lower, but the duration of second response was only slightly lower than the first response (15.7 vs 21.5 months, NS). Of 7 patients receiving a third M-2 reinduction 4 responded again. The median survival for all the patients is 51 months. The high rate of second response to the M-2 regimen after an unmaintained remission brings into question the value of continuous therapy in responsive multiple myeloma.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002330:Carmustine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D010266:Paraproteins / Q000032:analysis; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D010266:Paraproteins; D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008558:Melphalan; D002330:Carmustine; D011241:Prednisone