Chemotherapy for multiple myeloma

Abstract

The effects of eight different drug combinations were evaluated in 256 patients with multiple myeloma. The response rate and time to remission were superior from regimens that added both vincristine and Adriamycin (doxorubicin) to an alkylating agent-prednisone combination. There was no improvement in response rate or survival time from two alternating drug combinations evaluated in an attempt to achieve more marked tumor reductions and to delay the emergence of resistant subclones. The addition of levamisole during remission maintenance did not improve survival time. Results supported the utility of unmaintained remission follow-up in selected patients with marked reductions in myeloma cell mass.