VBAMDex chemotherapy in advanced multiple myeloma *

In a phase II study 28 patients with advanced multiple myeloma were treated with a five drug regimen consisting of vincristine, BCNU, adriamycin, melphalan and dexamethasone. 11 out of 13 patients without prior chemotherapy showed significant remissions (> 25% tumor cell mass reduction), 7 of them had more than 75% TCM reduction. Out of 15 additional patients resistant to previous chemotherapy, 13 had significant remissions, including 9 patients with > 75% TCM reduction. No tumor progression was observed in either group of patients. The median follow‐up of all patients was 12.75 months. 4 patients relapsed. Toxicity mainly related to the bone marrow was observed in 14 patients. This regimen might offer a promising alternative for the treatment of advanced multiple myeloma, but still has to be tested in a prospective randomized trial.

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