title: Interferon-alpha-2b with VMCP for induction in multiple myeloma: the Israel Myeloma Cooperative Group experience.
abstract: In 1988, a prospective, randomized multicenter study was initiated to determine the efficacy of a combined induction regimen with recombinant interferon-alpha-2b (IFN-alpha) and maintenance with IFN-alpha on the response and survival rates in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Induction therapy consisted of VMCP (vincristine, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, prednisone), randomized to combine IFN-alpha at a dose of 2 x 10(6) U, 5 days per week throughout the induction period of 12 months. Patients who achieved plateau phase were subsequently randomized again between IFN alpha maintenance (2 x 10(6) U, 3 days a week) for 12 months and no maintenance therapy. Of the previously untreated patients, 84 were initially randomized for induction therapy, and 31 for the maintenance phase with IFN-alpha. Results of the cohort median survival, based on the intention to treat, have shown that those on the VMCP/IFN-alpha arm had a median survival of 53 months, compared with patients on the VMCP induction arm who a median survival of 26 months (P = 0.052). The median survival of stage 3 evaluable patients who were on the VMCP/IFN induction arm was 43 months, and 13 months for patients treated by VMCP alone (P = 0.008). No significant difference in survival was detected among patients in partial remission (after induction) who had a second IFN-alpha randomization at the plateau phase. Hematologic toxicity, mild to moderate fever, and fatigue were more common in the VMCP/IFN induction arm. The results show that VMCP/IFN is a well-tolerated treatment regimen, and is superior to VMCP for patients with stage 3 myeloma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Hasharon Hospital, Petah Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meytes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Many
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aghai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shaklai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shtalrid
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Attias
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Manor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007557:Israel; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008558:Melphalan; D011241:Prednisone