Intermittent Melphalan and Prednisolone Therapy in Plasma Cell Myeloma

Abstract

Thirty-two consecutive, previously untreated patients with plasma cell myeloma were treated with 4 day courses of melphalan (0.25 mg/kg/day) and prednisolone (2 mg/kg/day) every 6th wk. The observation period ranged from 26 to 75 mo. and the total median survival time was 29 mo. Of the patients, 75% responded to therapy and their median survival time was 42 mo. Sex did not influence either the response rate or the survival time. Most patients were treated in an out-patient clinic and required a minimum of check-ups.