HUMAN-LEUKOCYTE INTERFERON AND INTERMITTENT HIGH-DOSE MELPHALAN-PREDNISONE ADMINISTRATION IN THE TREATMENT OF MULTIPLE-MYELOMA - A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL-TRIAL FROM THE MYELOMA GROUP OF CENTRAL SWEDEN

Abstract

In a randomized clinical trial intermittent high-dose melphalan/prednisone (MP) treatment was compared with human leukocyte interferon (IFN) administration. A total of 3 x 106- 6 x 106 IU of IFN was given i.m. daily. Therapy was continued to progression of the disease. Patients (55) were randomized to receive MP; 75 were randomized to receive IFN. Forty-four percent of the patients receiving MP responded to therapy was opposed to only 14% of the patients receiving IFN (P < 0.001). This difference was mainly due to a low response rate in IFN-treated IgG myelomas; the response rate for IgA and Bence Jones myelomas did not differ significantly between the 2 treatment groups. Median duration of response was shorter for IFN-responding patients (23 mo.) as compared to patients in the MP group (35 mo.). During follow-up, 2nd-line therapy was given more frequently in the IFN group (91%) than in the MP group (59%). Time on initial treatment was significantly shorter in the IFN group (3 mo.) than in the MP group (19 mo.). Since more patients responded to 2nd-line therapy in the IFN group than in the MP group, total survival did not differ significantly between the 2 groups.