Standard-dose therapy for multiple myeloma: The Southwest Oncology Group experience.

We summarize the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) experience with standard therapy for multiple myeloma by reviewing and updating data from seven consecutive SWOG trials. Some modest progress has been made since the introduction of melphalan and prednisone (MP) for induction therapy, using regimens that involve vincristine and doxorubicin, and which save alkylating agents for possible later high-dose therapy. For maintenance, it appears that prednisone plays a useful role. We demonstrate the use of the data collected in these trials with a proposed new staging system.