Resistant multiple myeloma treated with mitoxantrone in combination with vincristine and prednisolone (NOP-regime)

Nordic Myeloma Study Group, the first 15 years: scientific collaboration and improvement of patient care

The accomplishments of the Nordic Myeloma Study Group (NMSG) during its first 15 yr are briefly surveyed, together with a discussion of principles guiding the group's clinical trials and of problems that need to be addressed in coming years. The group has so far carried out 12 clinical trials, comprising more than 2500 patients, spanning from minor phase II to large randomised phase III trials. At the time of writing, two randomised trials are running (comparing two doses of i.v. pamidronate, and melphalan-prednisone (MP) vs. MP-thalidomide to elderly patients). The group has strived for a simple organisation with much responsibility delegated to regional coordinators (Denmark 3, Norway 5, Sweden 5). With regard to trial design, the group has considered it important that studies are based on sound scientific questions, are simple to handle for the participants, population based, investigator initiated, include quality of life and health resources assessment as end-points, and can be used as basis for diverse scientific spin-off projects. Like other clinical trial groups, NMSG faces a number of challenges in coming years. The financial situation for independent investigator-initiated trials is far from satisfactory, especially with regard to the resource-consuming implementation of more stringent good clinical practice rules and ethical committee demands. NMSG has also encountered increasing difficulties in recruiting patients to recent trials, partly because of problems related to participating physicians (lack of support, laborious paper work, insufficient credit for participation). Solutions to these problems have to be found if industry-independent clinical trial groups are to survive.

Multiple myeloma treated with mitoxantrone in combination with vincristine and prednisolone (NOP regimen) versus melphalan and prednisolone: a phase III study. Nordic Myeloma Study Group (NMSG)

One-hundred-and-fifty-one patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma were allocated to treatment with either NOP regimen (mitoxantrone 16 mg/m2 and vincristine 2 mg day 1 and prednisolone 250 mg day 1-4 and 17-20) or M+P regimen (melphalan 0.25 mg/kg and prednisolone 100-200 mg/day day 1-4). Both regimens were repeated every 4 weeks and were scheduled for 1 year. Seventy-seven patients were treated with NOP and 74 patients with M+P. No major clinical differences were recorded between the groups before treatment. Sixty percent of the patients responded (CR+PR) to NOP versus 64% to M+P (NS). The time to progression was 16 months (95% C.L. 14-51) in the NOP group versus 21 months (95% C.L. 15-27) in the M+P group (NS). The median survival was 14 months (7-21) in the NOP group and 31 months (21-43) in the M+P group (p = 0.02). NOP was significantly more toxic than M+P. Seven patients treated with NOP died due to infection and neutropenia and 1 patient died of cardiac toxicity, in contrast to 1 death due to infection and neutropenia in the M+P group. Gastrointestinal toxicity was acceptable in both groups. In conclusion, NOP was inferior to M+P as primary treatment of multiple myeloma.

Mitoxantrone. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic potential in the chemotherapy of cancer

Mitoxantrone is a dihydroxyanthracenedione derivative which as intravenous mono- and combination therapy has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy similar to that of standard induction and salvage treatment regimens in advanced breast cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute nonlymphoblastic leukaemia and chronic myelogenous leukaemia in blast crisis; it appears to be an effective alternative to the anthracycline component of standard treatment regimens in these indications. Mitoxantrone is also effective as a component of predominantly palliative treatment regimens for hepatic and advanced ovarian carcinoma. Limited studies suggest useful therapeutic activity in multiple myeloma and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Regional therapy of malignant effusions, hepatic and ovarian carcinomas has also been very effective, with a reduction in systemic adverse effects. Mitoxantrone inhibits DNA synthesis by intercalating DNA, inducing DNA strand breaks, and causing DNA aggregation and compaction, and delays cell cycle progression, particularly in late S phase. In vitro antitumour activity is concentration- and exposure time-proportional, and synergy with other antineoplastic drugs has been demonstrated in murine tumour models. Leucopenia may be dose-limiting in patients with solid tumours, whereas stomatitis may be dose-limiting in patients with leukaemia. Other adverse effects are usually of mild or moderate severity although cardiac effects, particularly congestive heart failure, may be of concern, especially in patients with a history of anthracycline therapy, mediastinal irradiation or cardiovascular disease. Mitoxantrone displays an improved tolerability profile compared with doxorubicin and other anthracyclines, although myelosuppression may occur more frequently. Thus, mitoxantrone is an effective and better tolerated alternative to the anthracyclines in most haematological malignancies, in breast cancer and in advanced hepatic or ovarian carcinoma. Further studies may consolidate its role in the treatment of these and other malignancies.

Refractory myelomatosis treated with mitoxantrone in combination with vincristine and prednisone (NOP-regimen): a phase II study. The Nordic Myeloma Study Group (NMSG)

In a phase II study, patients with refractory myelomatosis were treated with a combination chemotherapy (NOP regimen): mitoxantrone (bolus injection of 4 mg/m2 on days 1-4), vincristine (continuous infusion of 0.4 mg/24 h on days 1-4) and prednisone (250 mg/d on days 1-4 and 17-20). The treatment was repeated every 4 weeks. Ninety-two patients were treated after they were found refractory to treatment with melphalan and prednisone (and occasionally vincristine) (n = 50) or more intensive treatment regimens (n = 42) including anthracyclines (n = 18). Response (greater than or equal to 50% reduction of M protein) was obtained in 23 patients and minor response (clinical improvement but less than 50% reduction in M protein) in 22 patients. The median duration of the response was 7.5 months. Equal response rates were observed irrespective of the type of previous treatment. The major toxicity was myelosuppression with severe granulocytopenia and infections. However, the frequency decreased throughout the cycles. The NOP treatment is recommended in refractory myelomatosis, especially in patients refractory to other intensive regimens. Patients in a poor clinical condition or with thrombocytopenia before treatment should have a reduced mitoxantrone dose in the first treatment cycles.