EFFICACY OF SOME POLYCHEMOTHERAPY PROGRAMS IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE-MYELOMA

Aim. To compare efficiency of the programs MCVP, VCAP and ARA-COP in t he treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) as regards completeness of the r esponse, duration of the remission and toxicity. Materials and methods . A total of 41 MM patients entered the study (27 females, 14 males, a ge from 41 to 72 years, MM duration from I month to 8 years). 16 Ia an d 15 patients were treated according to MCVP, VCAP and ARA-COP program s. Results. Both in the resistant and primary patients the response wa s the highest to ARA-COP treatment. The remission or stabilization was achieved in 93.4% of patients. VCAP program was less effective. Howev er, clinicohematological remission was achieved in 50% of patients. Th is program is rather heart toxic. MCVP program was the least effective . Survival was followed up in 16 patients (10 MCVP, 3 VCAP and 3 ARA-C OP patients). The survival was 20-62, 16-36, 23.6-64.8 months for ARA- COP, VCAP and MCVP, respectively. Conclusion. ARA-COP program proved m ost effective of the three programs both in primary and drug-resistant patients. VCAP and MCVP programs are less effective brit can be used in primary management of MM patients.