Role of interferon in the treatment of multiple myeloma

A number of clinical trials were conducted to determine the therapeutic efficacy of interferon in multiple myeloma (MM). Small, statistically significant increase in progression-free survival and overall survival of up to 6 months are identified in meta-analysis, most clearly observed for patients receiving maintenance therapy following chemotherapy or autologous stem cell transplantation. However, potential benefits must be balanced against possible toxicity and the financial costs of interferon. Therefore interferon therapy is not recommended during induction therapy. Patients who respond to first-line therapy can be offered interferon as a maintenance therapy, but the strength of this recommendation is low because of the modest clinical benefit, weighed against the frequent side effects.