Consolidation treatment with dexamethasone and alpha-2B recombinant interferon further reduces the M-component level in multiple myeloma patients responding to conventional induction chemotherapy.

Three patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma who had achieved an objective response after conventional induction chemotherapy were treated with alpha-2b-interferon plus intermittent high-dose dexamethasone as consolidation therapy. This treatment included three mega units of alpha-2b-interferon three times a week, plus 4 days pulsed high-dose dexamethasone every 28 days for 6 months. Toxicity was limited to a mild flu-like syndrome. A further and significant M-component reduction (50%), obtained after conventional chemotherapy, suggests the value of intermittent high-dose dexamethasone plus interferon as consolidation therapy.