Is alpha-interferon treatment in multiple myeloma worthwhile?

The article reviews the therapeutic efficacy of alpha interferon (alpha IFN) in the management of myelomatosis. The data provided in the medical literature suggest that alpha IFN is a useful agent in the management of myelomatosis. In particular, its association to conventional induction therapies of previously untreated multiple myeloma (MM) patients may improve the overall response rate and probably increase the number of complete responders. On the other hand, even though alpha IFN alone, in some patients with previously untreated MM, may induce good objective responses, it remains certainly less effective than conventional chemotherapy. Moreover, in a small proportion of advanced MM patients, alpha IFN alone has induced objective responses. It is therefore possible that alpha IFN should be combined with other therapeutic modalities to improve the observed response rate in these patients. Finally, alpha IFN maintenance treatment seems to be one of the most promising therapies for patients with myelomatosis. However, the achievement of a "true" "plateau phase" after the induction treatment is certainly necessary to permit alpha IFN of prolonging the response duration as well as survival duration. The importance of the achievement of a "true" "plateau phase" is better emphasized by the good results obtained using alpha IFN after transplantation procedures.