Publication
Melphalan dose in myeloma patients ≥65 years of age undergoing high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation: a multicentric observational registry study
Journal Paper/Review - Nov 2, 2018
Ghilardi Guido, Ghielmini Michele, Wannesson Luciano, Lerch Erika, Samaras Panagiotis, Schanz Urs, Passweg Jakob R, Stussi Georg, Kleber Martina, Gerber Bernhard, Rossi Davide, Schmidt Adrian, Pabst Thomas, Jeker Barbara, Müller Rouven, Cairoli Anne, Müller Antonia M S, Bargetzi Mario, Hitz Felicitas, Baldomero Helen, Heim Dominik, Swiss Blood Stem Cell Transplantation Registry
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Brief description/objective
The optimal melphalan dose prior to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is not known for elderly multiple myeloma (MM) patients. We analyzed data of all MM patients ≥65 years (n = 388) enrolled in the observational Swiss Blood Stem Cell Transplantation Registry. The median age was 67 years (65-77). Single ASCT was performed in 344 (88.7%) patients, with 259 patients (75.3%) receiving a melphalan dose of 200 mg/m (MEL200), and 85 patients (24.7%) receiving lower doses (MELlow) (median 140 mg/m, range 70-180 mg/m). MEL200 patients were slightly younger, and had a better renal function, but did not differ with regards to ISS stage, cytogenetic risk, remission status, and KPS. Overall mortality at day 100 was 1.5% without differences between the MEL groups (p = 0.621). Median progression-free survival (PFS) in the MEL200 and the MELlow group was 27.7 and 22.1 months, respectively (p = 0.294). Median overall survival (OS) in the MEL200 and in MELlow group was 91.2 and 61.2 months (p = 0.015). However, multivariate analysis showed no significant association of the melphalan dose and OS (HR 0.734; CI95% 0.264-2.038; p = 0.553). In conclusion, our data reveal no significant differences in safety and PFS for elderly myeloma patients treated with MEL200 or with lower MEL doses.