DEXAMETHASONE, CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE, IDARUBICIN AND ETOPOSIDE (DC-IE) - ANOVEL, INTENSIVE INDUCTION CHEMOTHERAPY REGIMEN FOR PATIENTS WITH HIGH-RISK MULTIPLE-MYELOMA

We evaluated toxicities and responses to a novel, dose intensive and t ime sequenced, chemotherapy programme (DC-IE) in 45 patients with high -risk myeloma. DC-IE consisted of: dexamethasone (days 1-4); cyclophos phamide (day 5); idarubicin and etoposide (days 8-10). Complete respon se (CR) was achieved in four patients, six patients achieved near comp lete responses (nCR) and 21 patients achieved a partial remission (PR) . Overall response rate was 76% (CI 56-94%) for newly diagnosed patien ts (n = 21) and 62% (CI 36-81%) for relapsed/refractory patients (n = 24). Toxicities were limited to myelosuppression; two patients died of sepsis during neutropenia (4%). DC-IE is active and tolerable for hig h-risk multiple myeloma, including patients with relapsed or refractor y disease to anthracycline containing regimens.