Vincristine, BCNU, doxorubicin, and prednisone (VBAP) combination in the treatment of relapsing or resistant multiple myeloma: a Southwest Oncology Group study.

A total of 151 patients with myeloma who had relapsed with or were resistant to melphalan and/or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) with prednisone received vincristine, carmustine (BCNU), doxorubicin (Adriamycin), and prednisone (VBAP) at 21-day intervals; 39 patients (25%) responded. Of the 123 patients with relapsing myeloma, 37 (30%) responded. Only two (7%) of the 28 patients with resistant myeloma responded. The regimen was well-tolerated in patients who had not had prior extensive irradiation. Thrombocytopenia was the most frequent form of toxicity. Survival was significantly longer in those patients responding to VBAP (median, 78 weeks) than in those not responding (median, 33 weeks) (P = 0.002). VBAP is a safe, effective regimen for patients with myeloma who relapse with alkylating agents.