[The outcome analysis of different treatment regimens in 206 patients with multiple myeloma].

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the outcome of different regimens for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS

Response rate, median survival time and overall survival rate of 206 MM patients treated with different protocols were retrospectively analysed.

RESULT

The median survival time, 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) of 200 MM patients treated with conventional therapy were 30.5 months, 32.0% and 15.8%, respectively. The total response rate and complete response (CR) rate of 195 patients treated with MP regimen and combination chemotherapy (CCT) were 45.6% and 14.9%, respectively. The response rates were higher for the patients treated with CCT than for those treated with MP (50.3% versus 30.4%, P < 0.05). The median survival time, 3- and 5- year OS in MP versus CCT group were 30.0 versus 30.5 months, 22.0% versus 35.0%, 13.2% versus 16.7%, respectively, but all of them have no statistical difference. Compared with those without IFN alpha maintenance therapy, patients received IFN alpha therapy showed a higher response rate (34.4% versus 53.6%, P < 0.05) and a longer median survival time (27 versus 52 months, P < 0.01). The total response in patients received thalidomide was 65.5%. Of the 6 patients received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), 5 remained alive in CR or PR with a mean survival time of (73.0 +/- 12.5) months.

CONCLUSIONS

CCT yields higher response rates, but not longer survival time than MP does for the treatment of MM. The response rate as well as the overall survival rate increased when IFN alpha was used as maintenance therapy. Thalidomide can improve response rate as well. HSCT could prolong survival time in patients aged < 60 years with good status.