Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed stage IIA or IIIA myeloma with a
measurable M- component in the serum or urine Progressing disease after conventional
chemotherapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy:
Greater than 8 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet
count at least 75,000/mm3 (transfusion independent) Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2
times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST/ALT no greater than 2 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no
greater than 1.5 times ULN Calcium no greater than 12 mg/dL Other: Not pregnant or nursing
Fertile patients must use effective contraception No life threatening illness unrelated to
the tumor No concurrent serious infection No prior malignancy within the past 3 years
except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix Must be capable of
swallowing intact medication capsules No medical or psychiatric condition that would
prevent written informed consent

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 14 days since prior immunologic
agents No concurrent immunologic agents Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least
3 weeks since prior chemotherapy No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 2
weeks since prior high dose corticosteroids No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy No
concurrent corticosteroids Radiotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and
recovered No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified