Author:

Abstract:

Thalidomide has recently been rediscovered as a treatment for refractory multiple myeloma. Several published studies reveal a significant antitumor activity of thalidomide in patients with advanced or refractory myeloma. We report here the data of the haematology department of the University Hospitals of Leuven on thalidomide therapy for advanced myeloma. Sixteen patients with refractory multiple myeloma were treated with thalidomide at a dose of 100 to 800 mg/day. Nine patients responded while five of them had a partial remission. At the same time a short review of the possible therapeutic mechanisms of thalidomide on multiple myeloma is presented.