Primary therapy of multiple myeloma with paclitaxel (taxol).
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.
Dimopoulos
M A
MA
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.
Arbuck
S
S
Huber
M
M
Weber
D
D
Luckett
R
R
Delasalle
K
K
Alexanian
R
R
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
D017239:Paclitaxel