Treatment of Multiple Myeloma With Urethan

Since 1946 a number of reports have appeared on the use of urethan (ethyl carbamate) in the treatment of various malignant diseases, including multiple myeloma, The results from treatment of the first few patients with multiple myeloma were not encouraging.1In 1947, however, Alwall2reported his findings in two patients, one of whom experienced almost complete recovery, both objectively and subjectively, upon prolonged treatment with urethan. The hemoglobin content, erythrocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total serum proteins, and albumin-globulin ratio returned to normal; albuminuria disappeared; plasma myeloma cells disappeared from the sternal marrow, and only unchanged roentgenograms remained as evidence of the original process. Subsequent reports by Loge and Rundles,3Harrington and Moloney,4and others5have been encouraging, but none matched the dramatic result recorded by Alwall. METHOD OF STUDY From January, 1948, through June, 1950, urethan was administered to 66 patients, about two-thirds of