[Chemotherapy for multiple myeloma]

Since the introduction of melphalan for the treatment of myeloma, remission rate and survival have been apparently improved. To improve upon the results achievable with MP therapy by the use of combination chemotherapy, many attempts have been done, suggesting that there is no difference in efficacy between them. Results of bone marrow ablative therapy with stem cell support the hypothesis that further intensification of therapy effects further tumor-mass reduction and extends survival times.