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[The role of interferon-alpha in the treatment of multiple myeloma]
1Division of Hematology and Oncology, Saiseikai Niigata Second Hospital.
Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is an active therapeutic agent in multiple myeloma. IFN-alpha alone may induce complete or partial responses in approximately 20% of previously untreated patients. However, it remains less effective than conventional chemotherapy. Recently, it proved to be beneficial in some but not all studies, in combination with conventional chemotherapy, to improve the overall response rate and prolong the plateau phase in patients in remission. The Hanshin Hematological Neoplasia Study Group developed a regimen consisting of DMVM (dexamethasone, MCNU, VCR, melphalan) with IFN-alpha. This regimen yields an 69% response rate, including 26% complete remissions defined by disappearance of M-protein and morphological normalization of the bone marrow. The most effective strategy of administration has yet to be established.
Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is an active therapeutic agent in multiple myeloma. IFN-alpha alone may induce complete or partial responses in approximately 20% of previously untreated patients. However, it remains less effective than conventional chemotherapy. Recently, it proved to be beneficial in some but not all studies, in combination with conventional chemotherapy, to improve the overall response rate and prolong the plateau phase in patients in remission. The Hanshin Hematological Neoplasia Study Group developed a regimen consisting of DMVM (dexamethasone, MCNU, VCR, melphalan) with IFN-alpha. This regimen yields an 69% response rate, including 26% complete remissions defined by disappearance of M-protein and morphological normalization of the bone marrow. The most effective strategy of administration has yet to be established.