title: Extended survival in advanced-stage multiple myeloma patients treated with gallium nitrate.
abstract: Adjunctive anti-bone resorption therapy has become an important part of multiple myeloma (MM) treatment. Currently, no definite evidence exists that this therapy increases survival. We examined a cohort of 13 of 167 patients (8%) treated with the M-2 protocol who received adjuvant gallium nitrate (GN) treatment for osteolysis, and then compared the outcome of these patients to all individuals treated with the M-2 regimen. The stage at diagnosis was IA in two patients, IIIA in 10 patients and IIIB in one. Median age at diagnosis was 51 years (range 35-73). Median (range) of entry data were: paraprotein level: 6000mg/dl (3058-8675); beta2M: 2.7mg/l, (1.2-9.6); LDH: 166U/l (142-237); hemoglobin: 10.2 g/dl (8.3-12.6); albumin: 3.7 g/dl (2.5-5.0); calcium: 10.0 mg/dl (8.3-14.5); creatinine: 1.2 mg/dl (0.7-2.7). Median survival in these patients was 87+ months from time of diagnosis compared with 48 months for all other patients treated on the M-2 protocol. We identified a subgroup of patients with remarkably prolonged survival who had received M-2 chemotherapy and GN. Survival in this group markedly exceeds expectations for patients with advanced stage disease and poor prognostic features. The administration of GN may have a positive impact on survival either by decreasing skeletal complications or through a direct action of GN on the complex cytokine network involved in the proliferation of the malignant myeloma cell.
authors: New York Presbyterian Hospital, Well Medical College of Cornell University, NY 10021, USA.
authors: Ruben
authors: R
authors: Niesvizkya
authors: C Galen
authors: CG
authors: Choy
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Siegel
authors: Larry
authors: L
authors: Lyons
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Michaeli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005708:Gallium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005708:Gallium; C027235:gallium nitrate