P-177: Predictive factors for severe infections and early death during novel agent-based induction therapy in newly diagnosed, transplant-eligible myeloma: a multicohort analysis from phase III trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. S133-S134
Author(s):  
Elias Mai ◽  
Thomas Hielscher ◽  
Uta Bertsch ◽  
Hans J. Salwender ◽  
Markus Munder ◽  
...  
2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e76
Author(s):  
Elias K. Mai ◽  
Thomas Hielscher ◽  
Uta Bertsch ◽  
Jana Schlenzka ◽  
Hans J. Salwender ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. e361
Author(s):  
Lalit Kumar ◽  
Santosh kumar Chellapuram ◽  
Ranjit Sahoo ◽  
Ritu Gupta

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3017-3017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Cavo ◽  
Antonio Palumbo ◽  
Sara Bringhen ◽  
Antonietta Falcone ◽  
Pellegrino Musto ◽  
...  

Abstract Thalidomide-containing regimens are currently being used as standard initial therapy for both younger and elderly pts with multiple myeloma (MM), but are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) which necessitates routine thromboprophylaxis. Controversies exist concerning the best thromboprophylactic regimen to be used in these pts. To address this issue, the Italian Myeloma Network GIMEMA designed a phase III sub-study aimed at prospectively investigating the efficacy and safety of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or fixed low-dose warfarin (WAR) or low-dose aspirin (ASA) as prophylaxis against VTE in newly diagnosed MM pts who were randomized to receive primary induction therapy with thalidomide-containing regimens in the context of 2 phase III studies conducted by the same group. In one of these studies, pts with ≤65 years of age were randomly assigned to receive Velcade-Thalidomide-Dexamethasone (VTD) or Thalidomide-Dexamethasone (TD) before autologous transplantation. In the other study, Velcade-Melphalan-Prednisone (VMP) was compared with VMP plus thalidomide (VMPT) for elderly patients aged >65 years. The daily dose of Thalidomide was 200 mg in both VTD and TD, and 50 mg in VMPT. Pts randomized to VTD or TD received a total Dexamethasone dose of 320 mg/cycle, while those assigned to VMP or VMPT were given a total Prednisone dose of 240 mg/m2/cycle. By sub-study design, pts treated on VTD or TD or VMPT were randomly assigned to receive thromboprophylaxis with LMWH (Enoxaparin, 40 mg/d) or WAR (1.25 mg/d) or ASA (100 mg/d) for the duration of induction therapy. At the opposite, pts randomized to VMP did not receive any prophylaxis and were used as controls. Sub-study end points included incidence of VTE, acute cardiovascular events, sudden death, bleeding and any other serious adverse events. At the time of the present analysis, 703 pts who received at least 3 cycles of induction therapy were evaluated. Of these pts, 164 treated on VMP were the control group, while the remaining 539 pts (of whom, 209 treated on VTD, 211 on TD and 119 on VMPT) were randomized to receive either LMWH (n=178) or WAR (n=180) or ASA (n=181). Baseline pts characteristics and risk factors for VTE were comparable in all sub-groups. Overall, the risk of VTE was 3.9% with WAR vs 4.5% with LMWH vs 5.5% with ASA (P values not significant for comparisons between different sub-groups), whereas it was 1.8% among the controls. Median times to onset of VTE for pts treated on LMWH or WAR or ASA were 2.66 vs 2.96 vs 2.10 months, respectively. Pts receiving Velcade-containing regimens (VTD or VMPT) had a VTE frequency in the range of approximately 3%, as compared to 5.8% for pts on TD (P value not significant). The rates of cardiovascular events were 0.6% in each of sub-groups including LMWH, WAR and controls, vs 1.1% for pts treated on ASA. No sudden deaths were reported. The incidence of all grades bleeding was 0.6% with LMWH vs 1.1% with WAR vs 3.3% with ASA (P values not significant for comparisons between different sub-groups), while it was 3.7% among the controls. In conclusion, results of the present analysis show that the overall risk of VTE among sub-groups of pts treated with different thalidomide-containing regimens was not superior to that expected during the natural course of MM. No significant relationship was found between the frequency of VTE and thromboprophylactic regimens, induction treatments (e.g. containing or not Velcade) and age of pts (e.g. young vs elderly). In comparison with LMWH and WAR, there was a higher, albeit marginal, risk of VTE and bleeding complications associated with ASA prophylaxis. Finally, a finding not previously well recognized, fixed low-dose WAR was not inferior to LMWH in reducing the risk of VTE among newly diagnosed MM pts receiving thalidomide-containing regimens. For these pts, LMWH, WAR and ASA are likely to be effective thromboprophylactic regimens.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 5117-5117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrizia Tosi ◽  
Elena Zamagni ◽  
Paola Tacchetti ◽  
Giulia Perrone ◽  
Michela Ceccolini ◽  
...  

Abstract Bone disease occurs in approximately 80% of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) and is caused by the interaction of the neoplastic clone with bone marrow microenvironment, ultimately resulting in an altered balance between bone resorption and bone formation. It has been previously reported that therapies aimed at eradicating the myeloma clone could contribute to decrease bone resorption, even though bone formation remains impaired even in responding patients, due to the use of high-dose steroids. It has been recently demonstrated, both in vitro and in animal models, that Bortezomib improves bone formation by stimulating osteoblasts. In order to test whether this activity was retained also in vivo, we evaluated markers of bone resorption (serum crosslaps) and bone formation (serum osteocalcin-OC and bone alkaline phosphatase - BAP) in a series of patients who were enrolled in the “Bologna 2005” phase III clinical trial at our Center. By study design, after registration patients were randomized to receive three 21-days courses of induction therapy with either VTD (Bortezomib, 1.3 mg/sqm on d 1, 4, 8, and 11, plus Dexamethasone, 40 mg on each day of and after Bortezomib administration plus Thalidomide 200 mg/d from d 1 to 63.) or TD (Thalidomide as in VTD and Dexamethasone 40 mg/d on d 1–4 and 9–12 of every 21-d cycle), prior to stem cell collection and double autologous stem cell transplantation. As of January 2008, 27 patients (19 male and 8 female, median age = 57.5 yrs) entered the sub-study; of these, 15 and 12 patients were randomized in the VTD and TD arm, respectively. At diagnosis, both groups of patients showed a marked increase in serum crosslaps as compared to upper baseline limit (7321±1445pmol/L in the VTD arm and 11140±2576pmol/L in the TD arm) while both OC and BAP were reduced as compared to lower baseline limits. After completion of the induction therapy, serum crosslaps were significantly decreased in both treatment groups (2747±319pmol/L in VTD arm, p=0.007; 3686±1084pmol/L in the TD arm, p=0.0015). In the TD group a significant further reduction in bone formation markers was also observed (42% reduction in serum OC and 30% in BAP, p=0.03 and 0.04 as compared to pre-treatment values); on the contrary, in the VTD arm both OC and BAP were not significantly decreased as compared to baseline values (15% and 11% for OC and BAP, respectively). These data suggest that incorporation of Bortezomib into induction therapy counteracts the inhibitory effects of high-dose steroids on osteoblastogenesis, thus sparing bone formation.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 955-955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Roussou ◽  
Efstathios Kastritis ◽  
Dimitrios Christoulas ◽  
Magdalini Migkou ◽  
Maria Gavriatopoulou ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 955 Renal impairment (RI) is a common complication of multiple myeloma (MM) and is associated with increased mortality. High dose dexamethasone-based regimens have been extensively used for the initial management of patients with MM presenting with RI. Recently, novel agent-based regimens have been introduced in the frontline management of MM. The purpose of our analysis was to assess the effect of novel agent-based regimens on the rate of RI improvement and compare their efficacy with conventional chemotherapy (CC) plus dexamethasone (Dexa) in newly diagnosed MM patients. Over the last decade, 82 patients with newly diagnosed MM and RI, defined as creatinine clearance (CrCI) <50ml/min, received frontline treatment in our Center. Patients were divided into three groups: group A: 28 patients who received CC plus Dexa-based regimens (VAD, VAD-like regimens, melphalan plus Dexa); group B: 38 patients who received IMiDs-based regimens (thalidomide or lenalidomide with high dose Dexa and/or cyclophosphamide or melphalan) and group C: 16 patients who received bortezomib-based regimens with Dexa. Renal complete response (RCR) was defined as a sustained increase of baseline CrCI to >60ml/min. Renal partial response (RPR) was defined as an increase of CrCI from<15 to 30-50ml/min. Renal minor response (RMR) was defined as sustained improvement of baseline CrCI of<15ml/min to 15-29 ml/min, or, if baseline CrCI was 15-29 ml/min, improvement to 30-59 ml/min. Patients in group B were older than those of groups A and C (p=0.01) while more patient in group C had light chain only MM than in groups A and B (p=0.04). There were no significant differences in the severity of RI, Bence Jones proteinuria, hypercalcemia or ISS stage among the three groups. Improvement of renal function, recorded as RMR or better, was achieved more frequently in patients treated with novel agents (group B: 87% and in group C: 94%) than in patients treated with CC plus Dexa-based regimens (64%, p=0.024). Among 9 patients who required renal dialysis 3 became independent of this procedure after treatment. We subsequently focused our analysis in major renal responses (RPR or RCR), because this endpoint is clinically more relevant. RCR was achieved in 43% of patients in group A, in 50% in group B and in 69% of patients in group C (p=0.2) and RCR+RPR rates were 50% and 57% and 81% for groups A, B and C respectively (p=0.1). Creatinine clearance <30 ml/min was associated with a significantly lower probability of RCR or RPR only in patients treated with CC plus Dexa- or with IMiDs-based regimens (p<0.01), but not in patients treated with bortezomib (p=0.529). The probability of RPR+RCR was similar for patients treated with IMiDs compared to CC plus Dexa-based regimens (p=0.619). In multivariate analysis bortezomib–based regimens (p=0.02, OR: 7, 95% CI 1.5-25) and CrCl>30 ml/min (p=0.002, OR: 6.1, 95% CI 2.5-22.5) were independently associated with a higher probability of RCR+RPR. The median time to RPR was similar for patients treated with IMiDs compared to CC plus Dexa-based regimens (2.2 months for Group A, 1.5 months for Group B, p=0.587) but it was significantly shorter for Group C (0.7 months, p=0.017). Other factors associated with a shorter time to ≥RPR included CrCl>30 ml/min (p=0.039) and age<75 (p=0.089). In multivariate analysis bortezomib–based regimens (p=0.004, OR: 3 95% CI 1.6-6.7) and CrCl>30 ml/min (p=0.006, OR: 2.5 95% CI 1.3-4.5) were independently associated with a shorter time to ≥RPR. In landmark analysis (time was one month in order to reduce bias due to early deaths), rapid improvement of renal function (≤1 month) was associated with a trend for a longer survival compared to patients who achieved renal response later (>1 month) (47 vs. 21 months, p=0.19). Myeloma response to treatment was 58%, 68% and 79% for the three treatment groups respectively and was associated with renal response (p=0.024), though less strongly with a major renal response (p=0.061). Our data indicate that novel agent-based regimens can improve renal function in most patients; furthermore bortezomib-based regimens improve renal function to a higher degree and significantly more rapidly than CC plus Dexa-based or IMiD-based regimens even in patients with severe renal impairment. We conclude that bortezomib-based regimens may be the preferred treatment for newly diagnosed myeloma patients who present with renal impairment. Disclosures: Dimopoulos: JANSSEN-CILAG: Honoraria; CELGENE: Honoraria.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 845-845
Author(s):  
Lionel Ades ◽  
Pau Montesinos ◽  
Sylvie Chevret ◽  
Edo Vellenga ◽  
Emmanuel Raffoux ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 845 Background: ATRA combined to anthracycline-based chemotherapy (CT) for induction and consolidation followed by prolonged maintenance is a standard treatment of newly diagnosed APL, but the outcome and prognostic factors in the elderly are less well established than in younger patients (pts). Methods: We performed a joint analysis of elderly pts included in two subsequent trials of the PETHEMA group (LPA96 and LPA99) and and on the French -Belgian-Swiss APL group (APL93 and APL2000). In the PETHEMA trials, pts received induction therapy with ATRA and idarubicin (Ida 12 mg/m2/d, d2,4,6,8), consolidation with 3 anthracycline monochemotherapy courses (2 with Ida and 1 with mitoxantrone, with ATRA and higher idarubicin dose for Sanz's int and high risk pts in LPA99 trial), and 2-year maintenance with intermittent ATRA and continuous low-dose CT (6MP + MTX). In APL 93 and 2000 trials: pts received induction therapy with ATRA and DNR (60mg/m2/d ×3d)+AraC, (200 mg/m2/d×7) followed by consolidation with a similar course and a final DNR (45 mg/m2/d × 3) + AraC (1-2 g/m2/12h × 8) course (omitted in pts >65y) and the same maintenance as in PETHEMA trials. Median follow up was 75 and 42 months in PETHEMA and APL trials, respectively. Results: 1575 consecutive newly diagnosed APL pts were enrolled in the 4 trials, including 1288 (81%), 105 (6.6%), 91 (5.7%) and 91 (5.7%) aged <60, 60-65, 65-70, and >70, respectively (ie 287 pts (18%) older than 60). CR rates in these age groups were 94.6%, 84.8%, 81.8% and 78.4% (p=0.0002). All failures were due to early death, except one due to resistant leukemia, in a younger adult. The 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 16.5%, 19.1% ,11.9% and 13.5% in pts <60, 60-65, 65-70 and >70, respectively (p= 0.63). The 5-year OS in these age groups was 85.8%, 68.7%, 63.8% and 56.4% (p<0.0001). The 5-year rate of death in CR , mainly resulting from myelosuppression during post induction treatment, increased with age, from 3.1%, 11.8%, 14.6% up to 17.9% in patients <60, 60-65, 65-70 and >70 years, respectively (p<0.0001). By multivariate analysis stratified on the trial (APL and LPA), better OS was associated with age <60 (HR 2.645, p<0.0001), female gender (HR 0.77, p=0.05), lower WBC (HR 1.007, p<0.0001) and higher platelets (HR 0.996, p=0.03). In pts >60 yrs, by multivariate analysis, early death was associated with increased WBC (p=0.046), and increased creatinine level (p=0.002). Higher CIR was associated with increased WBC (p=0.002) . In patients older than 60 years, age had no significant impact on CR rate and survival. Finally, no significant differences in outcome were seen between French Belgian Swiss and PETHEMA trials. Conclusion: In pts older than 60, classical APL treatment with ATRA combined to anthracycline based CT followed by prolonged maintenance gives no initial leukemic resistance and similar relapse rate as in younger pts, but significantly lower OS due to a higher incidence of early deaths and of deaths in CR compared with younger pts. Higher WBC counts are associated with an increased incidence of both early deaths and deaths in CR. Improvement in prognosis, therefore, requires better supportive care during induction treatment, while reduction of the amount of myelosuppressive drugs during post induction treatment may be required to reduce deaths in CR. Disclosures: Fenaux: CELGENE: Research Funding; AMGEN: Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 1550-1550
Author(s):  
Aziz Nazha ◽  
Farhad Ravandi ◽  
Hagop M. Kantarjian ◽  
Guillermo Garcia-Manero ◽  
Elias Jabbour ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1550 Background: Clofarabine is a second generation nucleoside analogue with activity in adults with AML. A recent randomized phase III study in AML relapse showed higher response rates and better event-free survival with the combination of clofarabine and cytarabine (CA) compared to cytarabine alone. We have also reported the feasibility and safety of the addition of idarubicin to CA (CIA) in a previous phase I and II study. To explore this combination further, we conducted a phase II study of CIA in pts</= 60 years with previously untreated AML. Patients and Methods: Patients (Pts) were eligible if they were </=60 yrs of age with newly diagnosed AML. Pts were excluded for ECOG PS > 2, cardiac ejection fraction < 45%, or active and uncontrolled infection. For the first 30 pts, induction therapy consisted of Clofarabine 22.5 mg/m2 iv daily (days 1–5), Idarubicin 6 mg/m2 daily (days 1–3), and Cytarabine 0.75 g/m2 daily (days 1–5). From pt 31 onward, induction doses were amended to Clofarabine 20 mg/m2 × 5, Idarubicin 10 mg/m2 × 3, and Cytarabine 1 g/m2 × 5. Pts who have not achieved a complete remission following the induction could receive one re-induction course. Pts in CR or CRp continued with up to 6 consolidation cycles with Clofarabine 22.5 mg/m2 × 3, Idarubicin 6 mg/m2 (days 1–2), and Cytarabine 0.75 g/m2 × 3, subsequently amended to Clofarabine 15 mg/m2 × 3, Idarubicin 8 mg/m2 × 2, and Cytarabine 0.75 g/m2 × 3. Supportive care was standard. Pts ≥ 50 yrs were admitted to a laminar air flow room for the duration of the induction. Results: From April 2010 until August 2011, 51 pts have been accrued with a median age of 49 yrs (range 19–59): 33 pts (65%) with de novo AML and 18 pts (35%) with secondary AML (18 related to MDS, 7 related to therapy). Three pts (5%) had a PS of 2. Median WBC at diagnosis was 3.4 × 109/L (0.6-92.3). Thirty-three (65%) pts had abnormal cytogenetics (21/33[64%] poor risk and 5/33 [15%] intermediate risk). Molecular profile: 6 pts (11%) had FLT3/ITD, 3 pts (6%) CEBPA, and 8 pts (16%) NPM1 mutations. Thirty-five pts (69%) achieved CR and 1 (2%) CRp for an overall response rate (ORR) of 71%. 61% pts (31/51) achieved CR following one induction cycle. 18% (9/51) pts required a re-induction and 44% (4/9) of them responded after the re-induction. Responding pts received a median of 2 courses (1–8) courses. With a median follow-up of 23 weeks (3–36+) median remission duration has not been reached with a 1-yr remission probability of 85%. Ten pts (19%) died on study including 2 (4%) who died < 28 days from treatment start (one from septic shock and multi-organ failure, and one from Steven Johnson syndrome). Median overall survival (OS) for responding pts has not been reached (2–36 weeks). One-yr survival probability is 65%. Sixteen pts (31%) proceeded with an allogenic stem cell transplant in CR1. Most toxicities were </= grade 2 and included rash (41 %), nausea (29%), diarrhea (23%), elevated transaminases (21%), and elevated bilirubin (17%). Toxicities > grade 2 included elevated bilirubin (4%), hypokalemia (4%), cellulitis (4%) and seizure (1%). Myelosuppression was ubiquitous but prolonged myelosuppression > 42 days was infrequent. 76 % (39/51) pts had neutropenic fever. Conclusion: Clofarabine, Idarubicin and Cytarabine achieve a response rate of 71% in patients </=60 yrs with previously untreated AML. Induction mortality was low and the toxicity profile was expected and manageable. Longer follow up and comparisons with standard induction therapy will be needed to further assess the role of this combination in AML therapy. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Clofarabine, use of Clofarabine in AML. Ravandi:Genzyme: Research Funding. Kantarjian:Genzyme: Research Funding. Faderl:Genzyme: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 1811-1811
Author(s):  
Evangelos Terpos ◽  
Efstathios Kastritis ◽  
Despoina Iakovaki ◽  
Maria Gkotzamanidou ◽  
Magdalini Migkou ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1811 The presence of chromosomal aberrations is a characteristic feature of multiple myeloma (MM). Recently, Avet-Loiseau et al reported that amp5q31.3 and del12p13.31, detected by high-density, single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays analysis correlate with prognosis in MM patients who were treated upfront with conventional chemotherapy (JCO 2009; 27:4585–90). The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of these chromosomal abberations on survival of patients with newly diagnosed MM or with relapsed/refractory myeloma who were treated with novel agent-based regimens. We studied 172 MM patients who were treated in a single center in Athens (Greece) during a 4-year period (2007–2011); 76 were newly-diagnosed and were treated upfront with either bortezomib- or IMiD-based regimens and 96 had relapsed or refractory MM and were treated with the combination of lenalidomide and dexamethasone with or without bortezomib (RD vs. VRD) based on the presence of previous peripheral neuropathy (Dimopoulos et al, Leukemia 2010;24:1769–78). A combined methodological approach of G-banding karyotypic analysis and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed in all patients. G-banding analysis was performed according to the European Cytogenetic Guidelines and Quality Assurance (ECA, 2006). The clonality criteria and the karyotypic description followed the recommendations of the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISCN, 2009). FISH was performed according to the Recommendations for FISH in MM (European Myeloma Network) on uncultured BM, either on cytoplasmic immunoglobulin-enhanced cells (cIg-FISH) or on nuclei from purified CD138+ plasma cells. Commercially available DNA probes (Abott-VYSIS) were used for the detection of del17p, del13q, add1q21, t(4;14) and t(14;16). The probes RP11-96J7 and RP11-578N7 (labeled by Empire Genomics, NY, USA) were used to detect amp5q31 and del12p13. The frequency of the studied chromosomal abnormalities is depicted in the table. There was a strong correlation between the presence of amp5q31 with hyperdiploidy (p=0.012) but amp5q31 did not correlate with the presence of any other of the studied chromosomal aberrations. The presence of del12p13 was correlated with the presence of del13q (p=0.001), t(4;14) (p=0.009) and del17p (p=0.005). Add1q21 also correlated with del13q (p<0.001), t(4;14) (p<0.001) and del17p (p=0.007). In patients with relapsed/refractory MM, who received either RD or VRD, the median overall survival was 19 months. Patients with amp5q31 had a median survival of 18 months (95% CI: 13–23 months) vs. 21 months of the others (95% CI: 8–35 months; p=0.737), while patients with del12p13 had a median survival of 27 months (95% CI: 0–57 months) vs. 19 months of the others (95% CI: 10–27 months; p=0.767). Of the other studied cytogenetic abnormalities, the presence of del17p (11 vs. 26 months; p=0.001), amp1q21 (12 vs. 26 months; p=0.001) and del13q by FISH (11 vs. 26 months; p=0.025), but not of t(4;14) (p=0.521), were associated with inferior overall survival. In patients with newly-diagnosed MM, the median overall survival was 57 months. The median survival of patients with amp5q31 was 46 months vs. 57 months of all others (p=0.315) and for patients with del12p13 has not been reached vs. 57 months of all others (p=0.379). In conclusion, amp5q31 and del12p13 are recurrent chromosomal abnormalities in MM. Amp5q31 is not associated with the presence of other genetic features, except hyperdiploidy. αmp5q31 or 12p13 was not predictive of survival ιn our series. However, further studies are needed in patients with newly diagnosed MM who receive novel agents upfront to validate the prognostic importance of amp5q31 and del12p13.TableCytogenetic abnormalityPatients at diagnosis (n=76)Relpased/refractory patients (n=96)p-valueamp5q3112 (15.7%)20 (20.8%)0.271amp5q31 as sole anomaly5 (6.5%)7 (7.2%)0.674del12p138 (10.5%)16 (16.6%)0.171del13q28 (36.8%)28 (29.1%)0.279del17p13 (17.1%)15 (15.6%)0.765add1q2115 (19.7%)26 (27%)0.303t(14;16)1 (1.3%)1 (1%)0.832t(4;14)4 (5.2%)10 (10.4%)0.221Hyperdiploidy/hypodiploidy10 (13.1%)/6 (7.8%)11 (11.4%)/13 (13.5%)0.301 Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuji Ozaki ◽  
Kazuyuki Shimizu

High-dose melphalan (200 mg/m2) as conditioning regimen followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) rescue has been established as a standard treatment for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) younger than 65 years of age. However, the role of ASCT in elderly patients older than 65 years remains controversial in the era of novel agents such as thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide. The efficacy and feasibility of ASCT have been shown in elderly patients by reducing the dose of melphalan to 100–140 mg/m2. Although the clinical benefit of reduced-intensity ASCT in elderly patients has not been clearly established in comparison with that of novel agent-based induction therapy, recent studies have demonstrated that sequential strategies of novel agent-based induction therapy and reduced-intensity ASCT followed by consolidation/maintenance with novel agents translate into better outcome in the management of elderly patients. Thus, ASCT could also be a mainstay in the initial treatment of elderly MM patients, and its indication should be evaluated based on performance status and the presence of complications and/or comorbidities of each elderly patient with MM.


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