@article {8235,
	title = {Primary dexamethasone treatment of multiple myeloma},
	journal = {Blood},
	volume = {80},
	year = {1992},
	note = {Cited By :265Export Date: 21 February 2017},
	month = {1992},
	pages = {887 - 890},
	abstract = {Intermittent courses of dexamethasone (DEX) were administered to 112 consecutive, previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Using criteria based on a 75\% or greater reduction of calculated tumor mass, the overall response rate was 43\%. Among comparable patients, response rates were approximately 15\% less than those observed previously with vincristine-doxorubicin by continuous infusion with intermittent DEX (VAD) and similar to those with melphalan-prednisone. The projected survival times with VAD or DEX were similar. Results indicated that DEX accounted for most of the plasma cell reduction achieved with VAD. Serious complications occurred in 27\% of patients treated with VAD, but in only 4\% of those who received DEX. In view of the similar outcome with fewer serious complications, DEX provided a simple, effective, and safe primary treatment for a large fraction of patients with MM. Patients who appear most likely to benefit include those with hypercalcemia or pancytopenia, or who require simultaneous radiotherapy for a pathologic fracture. {\textcopyright} 1992 by The American Society of Hematology.},
	url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0026656725\&partnerID=40\&md5=07079f5dab75ba4224bfb0f2c247131b},
	author = {Alexanian, R. and Dimopoulos, M.A. and Delasalle, K. and Barlogie, B.}
}
