Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Multiple Myeloma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically and biochemically confirmed recurrent or progressing multiple myeloma that is unlikely to respond to existing therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy

At least one standard first line therapy failure
No localized plasmacytoma or plasmacytosis limited to the bone marrow
Evidence of tumor by MRI or CT scan
Presence of myeloma proteins in serum and urine, including Bence-Jones proteins

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

18 and over

Performance status:

Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

At least 2 months

Hematopoietic:

WBC at least 2,000/mm^3
Platelet count at least 50,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL
SGOT and SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal
No hepatic insufficiency

Renal:

Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL
No renal problems
No renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Cardiovascular:

No chronic heart failure
No uncontrolled hypertension
No history of congestive heart failure
No other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Pulmonary:

No severe lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Other:

Not pregnant or nursing
Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study
No serious medical or psychiatric disorders
No active infections

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered
No concurrent immunomodulating agents

Chemotherapy:

At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered
No concurrent antineoplastic agents

Endocrine therapy:

Concurrent corticosteroids allowed

Radiotherapy:

At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered (patients with multiple tumors who have received radiotherapy to some, but not all, tumors may be admitted earlier than 8 weeks)

Surgery:

Must be recovered from prior surgery

Other:

Prior cytodifferentiating agent allowed
No prior antineoplaston therapy