Can Multiple Myeloma Patients Achieve a Durable Remission After Induction Therapy & Skip or Delay a Stem Cell Transplant? – SurvivorNet

To Skip or Delay a Stem Cell Transplant

A stem cell transplant may be the best treatment option for many patients with multiple myeloma. But is it always the answer? And can you put off the procedure?

First off, its important to note that not all multiple myeloma patients are eligible for a stem cell transplant. Factors that can impact a persons eligibility include age, fitness and co-morbidities (other current medical problems) such as heart, lung, kidney or liver problems. But even if youre unable to have a stem cell transplant, that doesnt mean your treatment wont be as effective as others who are eligible.

In a conversation with SurvivorNet, Dr. Jing Ye, a hematologist and oncologist at the University of Michigan Medicine, discusses the possibility of patients achieving lasting remission without undergoing a stem cell transplant. Multiple myeloma patients who are not eligible for a stem cell transplant typically have a prolonged period of induction treatment followed by maintenance therapy.

According to Dr. Ye, clinical trial data has shown that these patients can enjoy the same progression-free survival.

This has also opened up the conversation surrounding timing of the stem cell transplant for those who are eligible. In fact, some myeloma specialists think that a stem cell transplant should be performed right after induction treatment, but others think its OK to collect the stem cells and save them for actual implementation later on when the disease has relapsed.

Its interesting that the transplant actually is a treatment option developed quite some time ago, several decades ago, Dr. Ye says. Nowadays we have more and more chemo-free types of multiple myeloma treatment available. So there is also a debate in our myeloma field among experts (about when to offer the stem cell transplant).

And many multiple myeloma patients actually do try to save the treatment for relapse, according to Dr. Ye.

Patients now have an option if they would like to consider transplant at a later stage of their disease, she says.

Like the other variable aspects of multiple myeloma treatment, these different approaches will suit different people with different goals and circumstances. All of these options should be weighed with the close guidance of a multiple myeloma specialist.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

Joe Kerwin is a writer and researcher at SurvivorNet, based in New York City. Read More

First off, its important to note that not all multiple myeloma patients are eligible for a stem cell transplant. Factors that can impact a persons eligibility include age, fitness and co-morbidities (other current medical problems) such as heart, lung, kidney or liver problems. But even if youre unable to have a stem cell transplant, that doesnt mean your treatment wont be as effective as others who are eligible.

According to Dr. Ye, clinical trial data has shown that these patients can enjoy the same progression-free survival.

This has also opened up the conversation surrounding timing of the stem cell transplant for those who are eligible. In fact, some myeloma specialists think that a stem cell transplant should be performed right after induction treatment, but others think its OK to collect the stem cells and save them for actual implementation later on when the disease has relapsed.

Its interesting that the transplant actually is a treatment option developed quite some time ago, several decades ago, Dr. Ye says. Nowadays we have more and more chemo-free types of multiple myeloma treatment available. So there is also a debate in our myeloma field among experts (about when to offer the stem cell transplant).

And many multiple myeloma patients actually do try to save the treatment for relapse, according to Dr. Ye.

Patients now have an option if they would like to consider transplant at a later stage of their disease, she says.

Like the other variable aspects of multiple myeloma treatment, these different approaches will suit different people with different goals and circumstances. All of these options should be weighed with the close guidance of a multiple myeloma specialist.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

Joe Kerwin is a writer and researcher at SurvivorNet, based in New York City. Read More

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Can Multiple Myeloma Patients Achieve a Durable Remission After Induction Therapy & Skip or Delay a Stem Cell Transplant? - SurvivorNet