[A case of refractory multiple myeloma effectively treated with long-term oral etoposide]

A sixty-two-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for diarrhea and fatigue on September 1, 1988. Laboratory examination revealed anemia and a high serum protein level with increased gamma-globulin. Although he had no apparent bony lesions, the bone marrow picture showing an increase of abnormal plasma cells and serum immunoelectrophoresis indicating the presence of monoclonal protein of IgG-gamma type were compatible with multiple myeloma, stage IIIA. None of the following combinations of interferon alpha and ranimustine, cyclophosphamide and prednisolone, or melphalan and prednisolone were effective in reducing the level of serum M-protein. Therefore, we started daily oral administration of etoposide (25 mg/day) on February 21, 1989. Then the serum M-protein level was gradually reduced, and partial remission was achieved after 9 months' administration. After 27 months treatment the regimen was changed from daily to every second day administration, and finally stopped after 40 months. The patient has been in remission without etoposide to date.