Vindesine in refractory multiple myeloma

In 12 of 18 patients with multiple myeloma refractory to treatment with the combination of vincristine, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone, favorable results were obtained by replacing vincristine in this combination with vindesine. Although only three patients showed marked reductions (greater than 50%) of myeloma protein, this treatment, which was well tolerated, was also clearly beneficial to the other responding patients, thus postponing the need for more toxic treatment programs.