[Alpha-2a-interferon (Reaferon) in the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma]

Sixty-six patients with multiple myeloma were divided into four groups: treatment with alpha-2a-interferon (reaferon) 3-5 mln MU/m2 alone (group); alpha-interferon + pulsed therapy with dexamethasone (group II); reaferon at high or low dose + different regemens of polychemotherapy (group III), and polychemotherapy followed by therapeutic support with melfalan and prednisone (MP) (control). Patients in group I untreated earlier with MP showed positive response in 80% while only 20% were in partial remission. Chemoresistance was broken in 86% (complete clinico-hematological remission--18%) following administration of high doses of alpha-interferon in conjunction with cytostatics. Reaferon + dexamethasone modality proved less effective. After chemoresistance was broken in 83%, tumor process reached a plateau. Low-dose reaferon was less effective, too, with complete remission never being reported. When administered in high doses as support therapy, it proved fairly effective, with median response being double that registered at low dosage or chemotherapy + MP. Whenever high-dose alpha-interferon tolerability is poor, dosage can be decreased; the patients may continue on low dosage or switch to MP support.