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

OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the complete and partial response in multiple myeloma patients receiving peripheral blood stem cells supported by gemcitabine and high dose carmustine and melphalan followed by consolidation therapy with gemcitabine plus cyclophosphamide/dexamethasone/etoposide/cisplatin (DCEP) and dexamethasone/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 gemcitabine plus DCEP and dexamethasone/paclitaxel/cisplatin following autotransplantation in these patients. OUTLINE: Patients receive gemcitabine IV over 100 minutes on day -5 and again 6 hours after administration of 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. On day 3 of continuous infusions, gemcitabine is given over 100 minutes. At 6 and 12 months after autotransplant, patients 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 within 2.5 years.