A third autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is feasible and provides clinical benefit to patients with relapsed multiple myeloma, according to findings from a retrospective study. Third transplantation is most commonly used in patients who relapse following tandem ASCT. In that group, median overall survival was greater than 5 years if the relapse occurred 3 years or more after the initial tandem ASCT, study results show.
The retrospective analysis, based on European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation data, included 570 patients who had undergone a third ASCT between 1997 and 2010. Of that group, 482 patients (81%) received the third transplantation after tandem ASCT and subsequent relapse, and 88 (15%) received it after a second relapse. After third ASCT, overall survival was 33 months in the larger tandem transplant group with 61 months of follow-up, and 15 months in the smaller group of patients who received two salvage ASCTs after 48 months of follow-up. Median progression-free survival was 13 and 8 months for the tandem ASCT and two-salvage–ASCT groups, respectively, while 100-day nonrelapse mortality was 4% and 7%, respectively.
The retrospective analysis, based on European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation data, included 570 patients who had undergone a third ASCT between 1997 and 2010. Of that group, 482 patients (81%) received the third transplantation after tandem ASCT and subsequent relapse, and 88 (15%) received it after second relapse.
After the third ASCT, overall survival was 33 months in the larger tandem transplant group with 61 months of follow-up, and 15 months in the smaller group of patients who received two salvage ASCTs after 48 months of follow-up.
There remains insufficient information about the effectiveness of a thrid autologous stem cell transplant and it is not considered medically necessary.
Median progression-free survival was 13 and 8 months for the tandem ASCT and two-salvage–ASCT groups, respectively, while 100-day nonrelapse mortality was 4% and 7%, respectively.
Garderet L et al. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2018 Feb 3. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2018.01.035.
NCCN Myeloma 2020