THE THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF VBCMP-M2 PROTOCOL IN MULTIPLE-MYELOMA

Within a period from March 1983 to November 1988, 93 newly diagnosed p atients with multiple myeloma, 47 men and 46 women aged from 41 to 80 years were treated with protocol VBCMP-M2. A response was achieved in 30 (60%) patients in stage II and 22 (51%) in stage III, the overall r esponse rate being 56%. 41% of all patients entered plateau phase, mor e frequently in stage II (46%) than in stage III (37%) patients. The m edian survival of all patients was 35 months. Comparing these groups o f patients with other series from the literature, we were not able to demonstrate any advantage of this multidrug combination over other com binations or even melphalan and prednisone alone.