PMID: 3764441Sep 1, 1986Paper

Interferons in the treatment of multiple myeloma

Seminars in Oncology
M R Cooper

Abstract

Recombinant DNA technology has made adequate quantities of human interferons available for both in vitro and in vivo testing. In the clonogenic assay, RPMI-8226 myeloma cells were tested with recombinant interferon alfa-2b (Intron A), melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone. Prednisone used as a single agent had the least cytotoxic effect. Concentrations of alfa-2b as low as 1 unit/mL (international antiviral activity) showed a reduction in colony number of less than 30% of the untreated controlled cultures. Melphalan and cyclophosphamide showed measurable cytotoxic activity, expressed in terms of 50% inhibition of colony growth, at doses of 0.15 microgram/mL and 0.4 microgram/mL, respectively. Additive antiproliferative effects were noted with combinations of alfa-2b plus cyclophosphamide and alfa-2b plus prednisone. However, the alfa-2b-melphalan combination had a synergistic effect on tumor-cell colony reduction. Even greater cytotoxic activity was seen with the three-drug combination of alfa-2b, melphalan, and prednisone. Clinical trials have shown that alfa-2b may be effective in patients with relapsing and refractory multiple myeloma. Of 38 patients evaluated, seven responded to treatment. Three of the seven responder...Continue Reading

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