The use of low-dose prednisone and melphalan in the treatment of poor-risk patients with multiple myeloma.

Abstract

A study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of prednisone therapy in poor-risk patients with multiple myeloma. Patients were treated with melphalan alone or in combination with prednisone at doses of either 0.6 mg/kg or 0.3 mg/kg. The group of patients receiving melphalan and prednisone 0.6 mg/kg had significantly improved responses in hemoglobin, lowering of the M-protein concentration, and reduction of azotemia. Significant benefits attributable to prednisone were not demonstrated in the group receiving 0.3 mg/kg. Good responses have been shown to produce improved survival. The combination of melphalan and prednisone is effective in producing good responses, but the dose of steroids is important. A dose of prednisone of 0.6 mg/kg in gradually decreasing doses has been found to be effective in production of good responses, especially in the uremic patient.

• Authors: J Cuttner, L R Wasserman, G Martz, R W Sonntag, R A Kyle, R T Silver, C Spurr, J B Harley, P M Wiernik, G G Cornwell 3rd, G Falkson, O Glidewell, J F Holland
• Journal: Medical and pediatric oncology (Med Pediatr Oncol) Vol. 1 Issue 3 Pg. 207-16 ( 1975) ISSN: 0098-1532 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1232529 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Melphalan
• Prednisone

Topics

• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Humans
• Melphalan (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Multiple Myeloma (drug therapy, mortality)
• Prednisone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Prognosis
• Remission, Spontaneous
• Risk
• Uremia (complications)