Treatment of relapses of multiple myeloma is a problem which was not resolved quite satisfactori- ly so far.One of the possible therapeutic approaches is administration of major doses of chemothe- rapeutic agents with the support of autologous transplantation.As compared with standard treatment, according to some authors thus more remissions are achieved and a longer overall survival. The submitted paper provides information on the therapeutic results in relapses of multiple myeloma by administration of large doses of melfalan (200 mg/m2) with support of autologous transplantation in seven patients in the authors department. In these patients for stimulation smaller doses of cyclophosphamide were used (2-3 g/m2) and in half of them also larger doses of leucocytic growth factor (16 mg/kg) than usually in newlyy treated patients with multiople myeloma who receive as part of the stimulating regime 5 g/m2 cyclophosphamide and 10 mg/kg leucocytic growth factor. The yield of peripheral stem cells was good in all these patients. Of five patients with a chemosensitive relapse of the disease the authors achieved after transplan- tation three remissions and two partial remissions. So far all patients survive, one in relapse, two in remission, two in partial remission. Of the two patients with a chemoresistant relapse one died on the 17th day after transplantation, the other one achieved temporary 6-month remission and then died during the second fulminant relapse of the disease. Autologous transplantation seems to be an asset in particular in patients with a chemosensitive relapse of the disease. The authors summarize hitherto known facts concerning this problem published in the literature abroad.

        Key words: Multiple myeloma - Relapse - Autologous transplantation.