title: [Role of interferon for the treatment of myeloma].
abstract: Interferon (IFN)-alpha inhibits the growth of myeloma cell lines by inducing apoptosis. Based upon this finding, IFN has been evaluated in clinical trials as single-agent induction therapy, induction in combination with chemotherapy, and as maintenance therapy in plateau phase. Available data suggest that progression-free survival is improved with IFN, but the survival benefit is small. IFN has also been evaluated as maintenance after high-dose chemotherapy; however, the true benefit of IFN maintenance remains to be elucidated in view of conflicting data. In an area of rapidly increasing treatment options, novel agents, which have less toxicity and more biologic rationale, outweigh the limited benefits for IFN.
authors: Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine.
authors: Shuhei
authors: S
authors: Tomita
authors: Shinichiro
authors: S
authors: Okamoto
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012074:Remission Induction; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D013792:Thalidomide; D007372:Interferons; D011239:Prednisolone; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a