title: Response to first-line chemotherapy and long-term survival in patients with multiple myeloma: results of the MM87 prospective randomised protocol.
abstract: In this study we evaluated whether a good response to conventional chemotherapy, i.e. a significant tumour reduction, is a prerequisite for improved survival in multiple myeloma (MM). Between January 1987 and March 1990, 341 consecutive previously untreated patients with MM received chemotherapy within the prospective, multicentre, randomised Protocol MM87. Of these, 258 patients were evaluable for both response and long-term survival and 244 (94.6%) have died. The median survival of all patients was 40 months (6-162 months). The median survival did not differ between patients who had complete response (CR) (50 months (9-162 months)), partial response (PR) (46 months (8-147 months)) or stable disease (SD) (41 months (7-135 months)). The median survival was shorter (13.6 months (6-135 months)) (P<0.0001) in patients whose disease progressed while they were receiving first induction chemotherapy. Causes of death were more frequently (P=0.04) related to MM in patients who had progressive disease (PD) than in patients who had a CR or PR or SD. The main clinical and laboratory characteristics were similar in the four groups. These data indicate that patients who maintain SD during first-line chemotherapy have a prognosis similar to that of patients who attain a response. Only patients whose disease progresses have a distinctly worse outcome.
authors.affiliation: Medicina Interna e Oncologia Medica, Università and Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Policlinico S. Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy. a.riccardi@smatteo.pv.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riccardi
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tinelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Porta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Danova
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brugnatelli
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tolcà
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spanedda
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Paoli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barbarano
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cavanna
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delfini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicoletti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bergonzi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Piccinini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ascari
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002423:Cause of Death; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010440:Peptichemio / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012985:Software Design; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D010440:Peptichemio; D008558:Melphalan; D011241:Prednisone