title: [The efficacy of polychemotherapy programs in treating multiple myeloma patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare efficiency of the programs MCVP, VCAP and ARA-COP in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) as regards completeness of the response, duration of the remission and toxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 41 MM patients entered the study (27 females, 14 males, age from 41 to 72 years, MM duration from 1 month to 8 years). 16, 10 and 15 patients were treated according to MCVP, VCAP and ARA-COP programs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both in the resistant and primary patients the response was the highest to ARA-COP treatment. The remission or stabilization was achieved in 93.4% of patients. VCAP program was less effective. However, clinicohematological remission was achieved in 50% of patients. This program is rather heart toxic. MCVP program was the least effective. Survival was followed up in 16 patients (10 MCVP, 3 VCAP and 3 ARA-COP patients). The survival was 20-62, 16-36, 23.6-64.8 months for ARA-COP, VCAP and MCVP, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ARA-COP program proved most effective of the three programs both in primary and drug-resistant patients. VCAP and MCVP programs are less effective but can be used in primary management of MM patients.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Bessmel'tsev
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Abdulkadyrov
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Rukavitsyn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone; D008558:Melphalan; D011241:Prednisone