[High-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for the treatment of multiple myeloma refractory to conventional chemotherapy].

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation was administered to five patients with refractory myeloma. To collect peripheral blood stem cells, apheresis was done by administering doxorubicin 40 mg/m2 on the first day, and etoposide 60 mg/m2 on the first, second, and third days, followed by G-CSF administration to harvest cells. The high-dose chemotherapy consisted of melphalan 60 mg/m2 administered for 4 days and infusion of mononuclear cells. No serious side effects were observed during the clinical course. After transplantation, complete or partial responses were achieved. APBSCT is considered to be a useful method because it had an antitumor effect against multiple myeloma that is refractory to conventional chemotherapy, as well as against multiple myeloma that is sensitive to chemotherapy, and it can be safely performed.