Combination chemotherapy for multiple myeloma with melphalan, prednisone, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and carmustine (BCNU) (M-2 protocol)

From January 1975 to May 1981, 25 consecutive patients with multiple myeloma (MM) were entered in a prospective study and treated with the M-2 protocol (melphalan, prednisone, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and carmustine [BCNU]). The Karnofsky performance status was <70 in 62% of the patients. Nineteen patients were classified as being in stage III, three were in stage II, and three were in stage I. All patients had symptomatic and previously untreated MM. In 17 of 21 (80.9%) evaluable patients, an objective response according to Myeloma Task Force criteria was obtained. There was no difference in response rate among patients in the various stages of the disease or according to types of proteins secreted. The median time to obtain an objective response was 2 months and the median duration of the remission is 18+ months. The actuarial median survival was 42 months. In the first 15 months of follow-up, 20% of the patients died. Toxicity was not negligible and was mainly hematologic. One treatment-related death occurred. Our study confirms the efficacy of the M-2 protocol in MM and supports the data reported by the Memorial Hospital group.