Dexamethasone, cyclophosphamide, idarubicin and etoposide (DC‐IE): a novel, intensive induction chemotherapy regimen for patients with high‐risk multiple myeloma

• Published in: British journal of haematology Vol. 96; no. 4; pp. 746 - 748
• Main Authors: BALLESTER, O. F., MOSCINSKI, L. C., FIELDS, K. K., HIEMENZ, J. W., ZORSKY, P. E., GOLDSTEIN, S. C., SABA, H. I., SPIERS, A. S. D., KRONISH, L., SULLIVAN, P., ELFENBEIN, G. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, U.K. and Cambridge, USA Blackwell Science Ltd 01.03.1997; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Chemotherapy; Cyclophosphamide - administration & dosage; Cyclophosphamide - adverse effects; Dexamethasone - administration & dosage; Dexamethasone - adverse effects; etoposide; Etoposide - administration & dosage; Etoposide - adverse effects; Female; Humans; idarubicin; Idarubicin - administration & dosage; Idarubicin - adverse effects; induction chemotherapy; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Multiple Myeloma - drug therapy; myeloma; Neutropenia - chemically induced; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Survival Rate; time sequenced; Treatment Outcome; Toxicity; Administration schedule; Myeloma; Glucocorticoid; Isomerases; Immunoglobulinopathy; Lymphoproliferative syndrome; Complication; Antimitotic; High dose; Human; Corticosteroid; Immunopathology; DNA topoisomerase (ATP-hydrolysing); Drug combination; Dexamethasone; Enzyme; Treatment efficiency; Etoposide; Enzyme inhibitor; Malignant hemopathy; Induction treatment; Podophyllotoxine derivatives; Oxazaphosphinane derivatives; Alkylating agent; Antibiotic; Chemotherapy; Cyclophosphamide; Nitrogen mustard; Anthracyclins; Idarubicin
• ISSN: 0007-1048; 1365-2141
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.1997.d01-2083.x

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