[Advances in treatment of multiple myeloma]

Median survival time in multiple myeloma treated with melphalan and prednisone does not differ significantly from survivals yielded by combination of alkylating cytostatics. Intensive chemotherapy linked with marrow transplantation provides elongated complete remission more frequently in patients, who reached early remission by conventional means. Multidrug resistance of myeloma plasmocytes has been overcome by adding of verapamil to the VAD program. In recently diagnosed myelomas, it is more rational to assay the survival prognosis and access to intensive therapy.