Autologous Transplantation With High Dose BCNU and Melphalan Followed by Consolidation With DCEP and Taxol/Cisplatin in Patients With Multiple Myeloma and < or = 12 Months of Standard Therapy

OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the complete and partial response in multiple myeloma patients receiving peripheral blood stem cells supported by high dose carmustine and melphalan followed by consolidation therapy with cyclophosphamide/dexamethasone/etoposide/cisplatin (DCEP) and paclitaxel/cisplatin. II. Evaluate the incidence of early death in comparison with historical data in this patient population. III. Evaluate the feasibility of chemotherapy with DCEP and paclitaxel/cisplatin following autotransplantation in these patients.

OUTLINE: Patients receive carmustine IV over 2 hours on day -2, followed by melphalan IV over 20 minutes on day -1. Patients receive intravenous CD34 peripheral blood stem cells on day 0. At 3 months and 9 months, patients with adequate hematologic counts receive cyclophosphamide IV, oral dexamethasone, etoposide IV, and cisplatin IV for 4 days. At 6 and 12 months after autotransplantation, patients with adequate peripheral blood counts and creatinine receive oral dexamethasone on days 1-4, paclitaxel IV over 6 hours on day 2, and cisplatin IV over 24 hours on day 3. Patients are followed every 6 weeks to 3 months until death.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Approximately 24-63 patients will be accrued for this study within 2.5 years.