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Treatment of multiple myeloma with recombinant interferon alfa‐2a
Author(s) -
Ohno Ryuzo,
Kimura Kiyoji
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19860415)57:8+<1685::aid-cncr2820571310>3.0.co;2-0
Subject(s) - medicine , discontinuation , lethargy , interferon alfa , multiple myeloma , gastroenterology , nausea , malaise , anorexia , vomiting , interferon , alpha interferon , immunology
A Phase II study of interferon alfa‐2a was conducted in 64 patients with multiple myeloma (42 IgG16 IgA5 Bence‐Jones typeand 1 IgD) in a multi‐institutional cooperative trial. Partial remission was obtained in 10 (21.3%) of 47 evaluable patientsand minor responses in 5 (10.6%) of 47. Remission was reached at 22 to 89 days (median, 29 days) after the initiation of interferon alfa‐2a and lasted 4 to 55 weeks (median, 8 weeks). Side effects were noted in more than two‐thirds of patientsand included fever (58%)malaise (20%)anorexia (52%)nausea‐vomiting (26%)lethargy (2%)and myelosuppression (56%). They were all reversible on discontinuation of interferon alfa‐2a. Antibody to interferon alfa‐2a was detected in 1 of 20 patients tested during the course of treatment. Thusinterferon alfa‐2a was effective in multiple myelomaproducing unequivocal response in 21.3% of patients without unacceptable side effects.