Maintenance treatment for myeloma

Maintenance treatment may be used to try to keep people with myeloma in remission for as long as possible. The drugs which may be used are interferon|, steroids| and thalidomide|. Research is looking at maintenance treatment for myeloma.

New drugs such as bortezomib| and lenalidomide| are also being looked at to see if they help keep people in remission.

Interferon 

This is a protein that is normally produced by the body during viral infections, such as flu. It is given as a cancer treatment to stimulate a person's immune system to attack the myeloma cells. Interferon may be used as a maintenance treatment, to try to keep the myeloma in remission after chemotherapy|. It can help to control the disease, but sometimes the side effects can outweigh the benefits.

Interferon| is given three times a week, or occasionally daily, as a small injection under the skin (subcutaneously) using a very fine needle. The injections are slightly uncomfortable. You will be taught how to give yourself these injections.

In the first week or two of treatment, interferon can cause symptoms similar to those of flu; especially chills, a high temperature, headache, and aching in the back, joints and muscles. Your doctor may recommend that you take paracetamol, about half an hour before the injection, to prevent these symptoms.

The side effects often disappear within a few weeks of starting treatment, but for some people they continue. Interferon can also make you feel very tired|.