Interferon Alfa and Interleukin-6 in Treating Patients With Recurrent Multiple Myeloma

A Pilot Study of Differentiation Therapy in Multiple Myeloma Using Interleukin-6 and Interferon-a

RATIONALE: Interferon alfa may interfere with the growth of cancer cells. Interleukin-6 may stimulate the white blood cells to kill cancer cells. Giving interferon alfa together with interleukin-6 may kill more cancer cells.

PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying the side effects and how well giving interferon alfa together with interleukin-6 works in treating patients with recurrent multiple myeloma.

OBJECTIVES:

• Determine the response rate in patients with recurrent multiple myeloma treated with recombinant interferon alfa and recombinant interleukin-6.
• Determine the safety and optimal dose of this regimen in these patients.
• Determine the toxicity of this regimen in these patients.
• Determine the impact of this regimen on clonogenic growth of myeloma cells in serial in vitro assays.

OUTLINE: This is a pilot study.

Patients receive recombinant interferon alfa subcutaneously (SC) once daily. Beginning 1 month later, patients also receive recombinant interleukin-6 SC once daily. Treatment continues for up to 6 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 27 patients will be accrued for this study.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of recurrent multiple myeloma
• Must have received ≥ 2 prior therapies

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Performance status 0-3

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics