[Relationship between prognosis of multiple myeloma and response to VCAP therapy].
We investigated the relationship between response in M-protein to VCAP therapy and survival duration in 50 multiple myeloma (MM) patients who survived for at least 6 months. The relationship between improvement of hemoglobin level as a response of VCAP therapy and survival duration was also assessed. The survival time in patients whose M-protein was reduced by 50% or more within 6 months after therapy was shorter than that in patients in whom the reduction of > or = 50% or more was obtained in more than 6 months. Patients with a hemoglobin level of 10 g/dl or higher before therapy survived significantly longer than those with a hemoglobin level of less than 10 g/dl. Among the patients with a hemoglobin level of less than 10 g/dl, patients in whom the hemoglobin level improved to 10 g/dl or higher survived for significantly longer duration than patients without improvement (p < 0.01). Patients in whom the hemoglobin level improved after more than 6 months survived form significantly longer duration than patients in whom hemoglobin level improved within 6 months. Therefore, it was considered that it was difficult to predict prognosis from the rate of decrease in M-protein in the early stage of treatment.
Umeda
M
M
First Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo.
Annoh
S
S
Takata
M
M
Shikoshi
K
K
Katoh
M
M
Shirai
T
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009194:Myeloma Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D006454:Hemoglobins; D009194:Myeloma Proteins; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone