A combination of anti‐interleukin 6 murine monoclonal antibody with dexamethasone and high‐dose melphalan induces high complete response rates in advanced multiple myeloma

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Abstract
To improve the complete response (CR) rate in advanced multiple myeloma (MM) without increasing the toxicity of high‐dose therapy, we have used a new conditioning regimen. A combination of BE‐8 [an anti‐interleukin 6 (IL‐6) murine monoclonal antibody] and dexamethasone followed by high‐dose melphalan (220 mg/m2) and autologous stem cell transplantation was used to treat a series of 16 patients with advanced multiple myeloma. A strong inhibition of IL‐6 activity evaluated by quantification of C‐reactive protein was observed in all patients and was correlated with the high CR rate achieved with this combination therapy.