Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
-
Biol. Blood Marrow Transplant. · Apr 2009
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyComplete remission status before autologous stem cell transplantation is an important prognostic factor in patients with multiple myeloma undergoing upfront single autologous transplantation.
Upfront high-dose myeloablative chemotherapy followed by a single autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard therapy for patients under the age of 65 years with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Because disease status after induction chemotherapy is variable, we evaluated the prognostic effect of disease status before ASCT, especially in patients who were initially chemosensitive. We retrospectively analyzed the initially chemosensitive MM patients (> or = partial remission [PR]) enrolled in the Korean Multiple Myeloma Working Party Web-based registration system (www.myeloma.or.kr). ⋯ We conclude that patients with MM who are in CR before ASCT have a better OS than those in PR before ASCT. Continued CR after ASCT may be an important prognostic factor as well. Our findings suggest that the development of more effective induction regimens, including novel antimyeloma agents to improve initial response, should be pursued to enhance clinical benefits post-ASCT.