title: Primary therapy of multiple myeloma with paclitaxel (taxol).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The treatment of multiple myeloma remains unsatisfactory and new active agents are needed. Paclitaxel is effective against a variety of solid tumors and we assessed the utility against multiple myeloma.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 1993 to May 1994, we treated 33 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma with paclitaxel given intravenously at a dose of 125 mg/m2 over 24 hours (13 patients) or at a dose of 135 mg/m2 over 3 hours (20 patients).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five of 33 patients responded (15%; 95% CI: 5 to 32%) with an unmaintained remission of 3-11+ months. Severe but reversible neutropenia was the major dose limiting toxicity, but myalgias and alopecia were also common.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Paclitaxel was slightly active against multiple myeloma. Whether higher doses or new analogues of this agent can produce superior results requires further study.
authors: University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Dimopoulos
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Arbuck
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Huber
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Weber
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Luckett
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Delasalle
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Alexanian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D017239:Paclitaxel