title: A phase I/II study of idarubicin, dexamethasone and interferon-alpha (I-Dexa) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
abstract: To improve the outcome for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM), we combined idarubicin (Ida), dexamethasone and interferon (IFN) in a new regimen, 'I-Dexa'. Here we report our results of a phase I/II study using the I-Dexa protocol in an outpatient setting. A total of 31 patients were enrolled. Most patients were heavily pretreated with a median of two different chemotherapy regimen (range, 1-4). All but four patients had advanced disease (stage III). The dose of Ida was escalated to define the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) in this regimen. Four patients were treated with 5 mg/m2 and 27 patients with 7.5 mg/m2 Ida (day 1, i.v.). Dexamethasone was given at a fixed dose of 20 mg per os daily on days 2-5 and 11-14. Treatment was repeated at day 21 and consisted of up to six cycles. Patients who achieved a response or stable disease received IFN maintenance. IFN was administered three times weekly at a dose of 3 x 10(6) U/day s.c. until relapse. At the time of evaluation, 125 courses of I-Dexa were analyzed. The MTD of Ida in this regimen was 7.5 mg/m2. Hematological toxicity was mild including 5% leukocytopenia, 3% thrombocytopenia and 1% anemia (WHO grade III) at dose level 2. The MTD was defined by nonhematological toxicities including two WHO grade IV infections and one renal failure. The overall response rate including stable disease was 62.5% (PR: nine patients, 37.5%). So far, nine patients have been treated with IFN maintenance therapy with a median duration of 7 months (range, 1-16). In conclusion, I-Dexa can be given safely in an outpatient setting and is effective for the treatment of relapsed and refractory MM.
authors.affiliation: Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Universität zu Köln, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hübel
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tesch
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kröger
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schnell
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Borchmann
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Diehl
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Engert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001536:Bence Jones Protein / Q000032:analysis; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015255:Idarubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D003907:Dexamethasone; D001536:Bence Jones Protein; D015255:Idarubicin