Stem cell transplantation increases survival in some patients with advanced multiple myeloma

08-08-2006

Autologous stem cell transplantation increases survival in a significant minority of patients with advanced stage multiple myeloma.

According to a recent study from Australia, "We aimed to review the long-term outcome of myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) performed for multiple myeloma (MM) at our institution.

"Records of all patients who received standard myeloablative allogeneic SCT for MM were retrospectively reviewed. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and event-free survival (EFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method."

"In total 37 transplants had been performed. Median follow up post-SCT was 108 months (range: 33-148). The majority of patients suffered advanced stage disease and/or had received multiple prior therapies prior to SCT. Transplant-related mortality (TRM) at 100 days was 32%.

"Grades 2-4 acute graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) occurred in 18 patients (49%), and extensive stage chronic GVHD in seven (28%) of 25 patients surviving greater than day 100," G.A. Kennedy and colleagues at Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital reported.

The authors continued, "Median OS, PFS, and EFS were 28 months, 66 months and 13 months, respectively, with 5 year OS, PFS, and EFS 40, 54 and 24%.

"Our results suggest that allogeneic SCT, even when performed in advanced stage, heavily pretreated MM, still results in long-term EFS in a significant minority of patients. Efforts should continue on alternative allogeneic SCT approaches to reduce the high early TRM rate associated with myeloablative conditioning," Kennedy concluded.

Kennedy and colleagues published their study in Clinical and Laboratory Haematology (Myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation for advanced stage multiple myeloma: very long-term follow-up of a single center experience. Clin Lab Haematol, 2006;28(3):189-197).

For additional information, contact G.A. Kennedy, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Dept. Hematology, Division Oncology, Brisbane, Qld 4029, Australia.

Publisher contact information for the journal Clinical and Laboratory Haematology is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England.

Keywords: Brisbane, Australia, Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation, Graft-Versus-Host Disease, Multiple Myeloma, Myeloablative Conditioning.

This article was prepared by Hematology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Hematology Week via NewsRx.com.