Treatment of Multiple Myeloma: Renal Function in Relation to Its Prognosis

Abstract

Fifty previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma were reviewed for a retrospective study of their classification according to renal function (subclassification proposed by Durie and Salmon), and a combination chemotherapy including an alkylating agent “Carboquone” was discussed. In the group with renal failure there were more patients in stage III than in the group without, and the main cause of death was renal failure. The percentage of decrease in serum-creatinine before and after chemotherapy was demonstrated to be proportional to the response rate of chemotherapy. The response rate for the combination of carboquone and prednisolone was 92.3%. These findings suggest that renal function reflects the total amount of body myeloma and that an active removal of renal failure by such as dialysis might to lead to the long survival. In addition. consideration should be given into a new drug combination including carboquone in future clinical trials.