Dexamethasone or Dexamethasone in Combination With Thalidomide as Salvage Therapy

Maintenance

Dexamethasone

Patients will receive 40 mg dexamethasone days 1-4 only, every 3-4 weeks. Response will be assessed at least every 3 months while on maintenance therapy. Appropriate H2 blocker and antibiotics will also be given.

Thalidomide

Thalidomide will continue at a dose of 400 mg daily, or at the dose that was reduced and judged to be well tolerated in induction therapy. Thalidomide will be given as an oral, once daily dose at bedtime. Those patients unable to tolerate dexamethasone may continue on thalidomide alone until criteria for removal from treatment is met.

Inclusion criteria

• All patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of previously treated, active multiple myeloma, with hypoproliferative/low risk relapse following at least one autologous transplant.
• Patients must be 18 years of age or older. Women of childbearing age and fertile men must use a medically acceptable means of birth control while on study and for 6 months thereafter.
• Patients must sign an informed consent to participate in this study, and be fully aware of the known teratogenic potential of this drug combination.
• Patients must have a SWOG performance status of 0-2.
• Patients must have adequate renal function, as defined by serum creatinine < or = 3.0 mg/dl.
• Patients must be off chemotherapy (including steroids) and local radiotherapy for > or equal 3 weeks prior to entering the study.

Exclusion criteria

• No other concurrent therapy for myeloma is permitted while on protocol.
• There must be no evidence of active infection requiring IV antibiotics.