[Treatment of multiple myeloma--present status and perspectives]

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable. Despite many chemotherapy programs for large numbers of patients, there has been little improvement in outcome during the past 25 years. For many years, intermittent courses of melphalan and prednisone have represented the standard chemotherapy for newly diagnosed symptomatic MM. Many other drug combinations have been assessed, including regimens using multiple alkylating agents, and programs with vincristine, or an anthracycline, and have failed to show any superiority to melphalan-prednisone. Interferon alpha (IFN alpha) inhibits plasma cell growth and has induced responses in approximately 15% of previously untreated patients. This cytokine may have a role when used in those patients who have reached a good "plateau phase" with low tumor burden at the end of a chemotherapeutic program or after a transplantation procedure. The results of myeloablative therapy with allogenic or autologous marrow transplantation are promising and suggest possibility of a cure in some patients. Important problem in the management of MM patients is the treatment of complications, especially bone destruction, hypercalcemia, anemia and infections. Experimental modalities, especially immunotherapy, hold promise for use in humans and may also provide further insights into the pathogenesis of MM.