The use of low-dose prednisone and melphalan in the treatment of poor-risk patients with multiple myeloma.

Overview

A study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of prednisone therapy in poor-risk patients with multiple myeloma. Patients were treated with melphalan alone or in combination with prednisone at doses of either 0.6 mg/kg or 0.3 mg/kg. The group of patients receiving melphalan and prednisone 0.6 mg/kg had significantly improved responses in hemoglobin, lowering of the M-protein concentration, and reduction of azotemia. Significant benefits attributable to prednisone were not demonstrated in the group receiving 0.3 mg/kg. Good responses have been shown to produce improved survival. The combination of melphalan and prednisone is effective in producing good responses, but the dose of steroids is important. A dose of prednisone of 0.6 mg/kg in gradually decreasing doses has been found to be effective in production of good responses, especially in the uremic patient.