Comparative Studies of Intermittent Melphalan and Prednisolone (MP) versus 5-drug Regimen (QUVMP) and 3-drug Regimen (QUP) in Multiple Myeloma

Abstract

Twenty-eight patients with multiple myeloma were classified as “good” or “poor” risk following the criteria of the Southeastern Cancer Study Group. Eleven patients classified as good risk were treated with MP regimen (melphalan and prednisolone) or QUP regimen (carboquone, ACNU and prednisolone). Seventeen poor risk patients were treated with MP regimen or QUVMP regimen (carboquone, ACNU, vincristine, melphalan and prednisolone). In good risk patients, response rate and survival were slightly better in patients given QUP than in those given MP, and responders had a significantly longer survival than nonresponders. In poor risk patients, induction response rate and survival were similar with both regimens, and no survival difference was observed between responders and nonresponders. Although poor risk patients had a better response rate than good risk patients, the former did not have a longer survival than the latter probably because of the difference in risk factors. The most important factor that affected the survival of the patients was azotemia.