[VCAP combination chemotherapy of multiple myeloma in the aged]

A comparative study between patients aged over 65 (elderly group) and those under 65 (non-elderly group) was performed to determine the therapeutic efficacy of combination chemotherapy with vincristine, cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin and prednisolon (VCAP) for untreated multiple myeloma as both induction and maintenance therapy. The subjects selected were 38 patients with untreated myeloma who presented over the 7.5 years from 1982 to 1989 (June), consisting of 14 aged over 65 and 24 aged under 65. According to the classification of Durine and Salmon, 3 and 11 patients of the elderly group were stage II and III cases, respectively, while the numbers were 8 and 16 in the non-elderly group. The results defined by Imamura's criteria showed a 61.3% (9/14) partial remission rate in the elderly group and a 66.7% (17/24) rate in the non-elderly group. The 50% survival was 43 months in the elderly group and 65.5 months in the non-elderly group, with no significant difference between the groups. Thus, VCAP therapy for the induction of remission and maintenance for multiple myeloma therapy resulted in satisfactory prolongation of life in both groups, with a low incidence of the adverse reactions.