Phase II Study of High Dose Cyclophosphamide and Rituximab in Multiple Myeloma
Phase II Study of High Dose Cyclophosphamide and Rituximab in Multiple Myeloma
RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, can block cancer growth in different ways. Some block the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Others find cancer cells and help kill them or carry cancer-killing substances to them. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cyclophosphamide, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving rituximab together with cyclophosphamide may kill more cancer cells.
PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving rituximab together with cyclophosphamide works in treating patients with high risk, refractory, or relapsed multiple myeloma.
OBJECTIVES:
OUTLINE: Patients receive rituximab IV on days -10 and -7; once weekly for 4 weeks (after completion of high-dose cyclophosphamide); and then once in months 3, 6, 9, and 12. Patients also receive high-dose cyclophosphamide on days -3 to 0.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Not specified.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
Diagnosis of multiple myeloma, meeting 1 of the following criteria:
High-risk disease in first remission, as defined by the following:
Primary refractory disease
Relapsed disease after achieving a response to prior chemotherapy
The following diagnoses are not allowed:
No evidence of spinal cord compression
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
Age
Performance status
Life expectancy
Hematopoietic
Hepatic
Renal
Other
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
Biologic therapy
Chemotherapy
Endocrine therapy
Radiotherapy
Surgery
Other