Effect of interferon alpha-2b in advanced multiple myeloma

The antitumour effect of recombinant human interferon (rh-IFN) alpha-2b was studied in 22 patients with advanced multiple myeloma (MM). Nine of 14 evaluable cases were refractory to cytostatic therapy; five were in relapse. rh-IFN was administered s.c. three times per week, in escalating doses starting with 2 x 10(6) IU m-2 and if possible up to 15 x 10(6) IU m-2. Two patients (one refractory, one relapsing) showed a partial response, defined as a 50% reduction of the serum M-component. Three further patients had a minor, significant but short-lived response. Subjective side-effects grade 1-2 were noted during rh-IFN therapy in all patients. In three cases thrombocytopenia necessitating platelet transfusions occurred. Although a fraction of patients with advanced MM obviously respond to rh-IFN, this type of therapy may be more effective, alone or in addition to chemotherapy, in patients with a low tumour cell burden.     

A Group-Based Training Programme for General Practitioners: A Norwegian Experience

Westin S, stensen A I, Lvslett K, Prytz J, Telje J, TelstadW and Lie A. A group-based training programme for general practitioners:a Norwegian experience. Family Practice 1988; 5: 244–252. There are approximately 3000 general practitioners in Norway,serving a population of slightly above four million people.A three year postgraduate education scheme for general practitionershas been in effect since 1973, to be replaced by a five yearvocational training programme from January 1985, making generalpractice a fully recognized specialty from that date. The educationalrequirements consist of one year of hospital training, fouryears of training in general practice, and a total of 400 hoursof course education, mainly in clinical subjects. The core elementof the training is attendance at a group-based structured educationalprogramme of two years' duration. This article describes theconcepts and content of this decentralized group-based education,as well as some of the conflicting considerations which eventuallyled to this new Norwegian model of general practice training.The first evaluation studies indicate that the educational programmehas met a long standing need among general practitioners.