Interferon alfa-2b with VMCP compared to VMCP alone for induction and interferon alfa-2b compared to controls for remission maintenance in multiple myeloma: interim results.

The present trial was designed to evaluate whether interferon (IFN) combined with standard induction chemotherapy and/or interferon remission maintenance treatment improve treatment results in patients with multiple myeloma. Up to now 89 patients have received IFN plus vincristine/melphalan/cyclophosphamide/prednisolone (VMCP) as induction therapy, and 86 conventional VMCP. The proportion of patients with progressive disease was significantly lower (P less than 0.005) under IFN + VMCP as compared to the VMCP treatment group. Survival times were significantly longer (P less than 0.02) after IFN + VMCP induction therapy than after VMCP alone. In the second phase of this investigation, 33 progression-free myeloma patients were assigned to receive IFN as maintenance therapy, and 41 patients served as untreated controls. Patients maintained with IFN showed a tendency towards increased progression-free survival. Haematological side effects were observed significantly more often in patients receiving IFN, with more severe haematological toxicity in patients on the combined IFN + VMCP regimen and an increased number of patients with mild haematological toxicity in the group maintained with IFN. Other side effects, such as fever and fatigue, remained within tolerable limits. In conclusion, the preliminary results of this current clinical trial indicate significant advantages of combined IFN + VMCP induction treatment in terms of reduced disease progression and prolonged survival and possible benefits of IFN maintenance therapy in patients with multiple myeloma.