[Complete remission in multiple myeloma with natural interferon-alpha (HLBI) and melphalan/prednisolone intermittent therapy].

A 46-year-old man was admitted because of lumbago and numbness of the left leg. Pelvic X-ray showed a large defect in the left sacrum and CT revealed multiple punched-out lesions. Serum IgA was 1,740 mg/dl with a monoclonal component of IgA kappa by serum electroimmunofixation. Bence Jones protein of kappa type was detected in urine. Diagnosis of myeloma was made on the basis of histology of the biopsied sacral tumor. Repeated melphalan/prednisolone intermittent therapy (MP) was done with concomitant administration of natural interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) 3 X 10(6) U intramuscularly for 67 days. Performance status including gait markedly improved. Normal bone marrow morphology and disappearance of M-protein by electroimmunofixation were achieved after 13 cycles of MP, when pelvic X-ray revealed prominent recalcification. No further treatment was instituted for subsequent 6 months, without any demonstrable M-protein. Complete remission of myeloma is rare with conventional therapies and thus new therapeutic modalities have been waited for. IFN-alpha may promise better responses if appropriately combined with other chemotherapies.