PHASE-II TRIAL OF RHIL-6 (INTERLEUKIN-6) PRIOR TO AND CONCURRENTLY WITH VAD (VINCRISTINE, DOXORUBICIN AND DEXAMETHASONE) CHEMOTHERAPY FOR PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE-MYELOMA

We examined the tolerability and safety of interleukin-6 (rhIL-6) when administered prior to and concurrent with vincristine, doxorubicin an d dexamethasone (VAD) in patients with progressive multiple myeloma pr eviously treated with VAD alone. Typical rhIL-6-related effects such a s fever, chills, acute phase reactions and reversible abnormalities in liver function tests were observed. The study examined whether rhIL-6 predictably modulated indices of myeloma activity. No consistent, pre dictable change in myeloma-related parameters was documented upon rhIL -6 administration for either 8 days or 11 days prior to and concurrent with VAD. Two patients showed improved sensitivity to VAD chemotherap y when this was administered with rhIL-6. The overall response rate to rhIL-6 and VAD therapy in this study of relapsed and refractory patie nts was 50%, comparable to our previous experience with VAD alone in t his cohort of patients. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.