Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma in patients on bortezomib therapy

Objective To observe the safety and efficacy of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation（AHCT） for multiple myeloma（MM） in patients receiving bortezomib（Bor）. Methods Safety and efficacy of AHCT for MM in 18 patients receiving Bor admitted to our department from March 2008 to April 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Of the 18 MM patients,8 were treated with a high dose of melphalan（HDM）,10 were treated with combined Bor and HDM（Bor-HDM）,8 received Bor during induction therapy and AHCT,2 did not receive Bor during induction therapy but received Bor during AHCT.No significant difference was observed in nausea,vomiting,diarrhea,oral mucositis,and fever between HDM group and Bor-HDM group（P＞0.1）.The median time for reconstruction of granulocytes was 12d and 13d,respectively,while the median time for reconstruction of platelets was 16.5d and 18d,respectively,in HDM group and Bor-HDM group after AHCT（P＞0.1）.Fourteen patients received maintenance treatment with thalidomide.The patients were followed up for 25（14-39）d,during which the disease was progressed in 11 patients（4 in HDM group and 6 in Bor-HDM group） from 6 months to 25 months after AHCT.The disease-free survival rate was 44.2%±12% the MM patients 2 years after AHCT. Conclusion AHCT is a safe and easy procedure for MM in patients receiving Bor,but MM is easy to progress after it.