title: Phase II trial of rhIL-6 (interleukin-6) prior to and concurrently with VAD (vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone) chemotherapy for patients with multiple myeloma.
abstract: We examined the tolerability and safety of interleukin-6 (rhIL-6) when administered prior to and concurrent with vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (VAD) in patients with progressive multiple myeloma previously treated with VAD alone. Typical rhIL-6-related effects such as fever, chills, acute phase reactions and reversible abnormalities in liver function tests were observed. The study examined whether rhIL-6 predictably modulated indices of myeloma activity. No consistent, predictable change in myeloma-related parameters was documented upon rhIL-6 administration for either 8 days or 11 days prior to and concurrent with VAD. Two patients showed improved sensitivity to VAD chemotherapy when this was administered with rhIL-6. The overall response rate to rhIL-6 and VAD therapy in this study of relapsed and refractory patients was 50%, comparable to our previous experience with VAD alone in this cohort of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, U.K.
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ranson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Scarffe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014750:Vincristine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014750:Vincristine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004317:Doxorubicin