Humans ; Melphalan/therapeutic use* ; Multiple Myeloma/therapy* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Transplantation Conditioning

BACKGROUNDThalidomide is an immunomodulatory and anti-angiogenic drug that has shown promise in patients with myeloma. Trials comparing efficacy of standard melphalan and prednisone (MP) therapy with MP plus thalidomide (MPT) in transplant-ineligible or elderly patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have provided conflicting evidence. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy and toxicity of thalidomide in previously untreated elderly patients with myeloma.

METHODSMedline, the Cochrane Controlled Trials register, conference proceedings of the American Society of Hematology (1995-2014), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (1995-2014), and CBM, VIP, and CNKI databases were searched for randomized control trials with the use of the medical subject headings "MM " and "thalidomide ". Trials were assessed by two reviewers for eligibility. Meta-analysis was conducted using a fixed effects model. Sensitivity analysis was performed to test the robustness of the findings.

RESULTSOverall, seven trials were identified, covering a total of 1821 subjects. The summary hazard ratio (thalidomide vs. control) was 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72-0.94) for overall survival (OS), and 0.65 (95% CI: 0.58-0.73) for progression-free survival, in favor of thalidomide treated group. The risk ratio of complete response with induction thalidomide was 3.48 (95% CI: 2.24-5.41). A higher rate of III/IV adverse events were observed in MPT arm compared with the MP arm. However, analysis of sub-groups administering anticoagulation as venous thromboembolism prophylaxis suggested no difference in relative risk of thrombotic events between two arms (RR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.43-5.07, P = 0.54). Further analysis of trials on the treatment effects of MPT versus MP on adverse events-related mortality showed no statistical difference between two arms (RR = 1.24, 95% CI: [0.95-1.63], P = 0.120).

CONCLUSIONThalidomide appears to improve the OS of elderly and/or transplant-ineligible patients with MM when it is added to standard MP therapy.

Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Melphalan ; therapeutic use ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Thalidomide ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the feature of primary light chain amyloidosis patients treated with high-dose melphalan with auto peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) and bortezomib plus dexamethasone (VD).

METHODSThirty-eight patients diagnosed from September 2004 to September 2012 were analyzed retrospectively, including 15 cases received auto-PBSCT, 23 cases exposed with VD.

RESULTSThe median follow-up duration for the patients was 34 months (range, 1-112 months), including auto-PBSCT group of 38 months (range, 5-112 months) and VD group of 31 months (range, 1-108 months). The organ response rate in all the patients was 39.5% (15/38), and the organ response rate between these two groups has no significant difference [33.3% (5/15) vs 43.5% (10/23), P=0.532]. However, the median time of organ response was significant difference [6 (3-10) months vs 3 (1-6) months, respectively (P=0.032)]. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rates in the two groups were 72.0% and 66.9%, and their average survival were 84.7 months and 75.9 months, respectively (P=0.683). In the patients with auto-PBSCT, the occurrence of III-IV grade of bone marrow suppression (P<0.001), fever (P<0.001), nausea and infection (P=0.006) were obviously higher than those with VD, but there was no statistically significant difference in pulmonary infection (P=0.069) and bloodstream infection (P=0.059).

CONCLUSIONSThe preliminary results have presented that primary light chain amyloidosis patients treated with auto-PBSCT or VD had similar organ response rate and survival. However, more adverse events occurred in the group of auto-PBSCT.

Amyloidosis ; therapy ; Bortezomib ; therapeutic use ; Dexamethasone ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis ; Melphalan ; therapeutic use ; Myeloablative Agonists ; therapeutic use ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Humans ; Melphalan/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Multiple Myeloma/*drug therapy ; Prednisone/therapeutic use ; Thalidomide/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) after high dose melphalan in patients with POEMS syndrome.

METHODSNine patients including 6 males and 3 females received 10 auto-PBSCT after high dose melphalan in our hospital from June 2005 to October 2009. The median age at transplantation was 44 (39 - 48) years. The median time from onset of disease to transplantation was 12 (5 - 60) months. Peripheral stem cells were mobilized by G-CSF alone in one patient and 8 patients by G-CSF plus chemotherapy. Two patients were conditioned by melphalan 140 mg/m(2) and 7 by melphalan 200 mg/m(2). The median number of MNC was 3.75 (1.05 - 8.33) × 10(8)/kg, and that of CD34(+) cell was 5.37 (1.32 - 10.90) × 10(6)/kg.

RESULTOne patient received tandem auto-PBSCT and others received single one. Stem cell engrafted in all but 1 patient who died of severe infection and acute renal failure on day 9 after transplantation. Eight patients were evaluable for response. The median time to ANC ≥ 0.5 × 10(9)/L and platelet ≥ 20 × 10(9)/L was 10 (9 - 11) and 11.5 (9 - 14) days respectively. Two patient reached negative immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) after stem cell mobilization and transplantation respectively, and the other 6 remained IFE postive after auto-PBSCT. Skin changes and edema of lower extremities were improved in 5 of 6 patients, lymphadenopathy relieved in 1 and papilledema improved in 2 of 3 patients. All but 1 patient achieved gradual neurologic improvement after transplantation.

CONCLUSIONPBSCT is an effective and safe therapy for POEMS syndrome patients with low treatment related mortality.

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; therapeutic use ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Humans ; Melphalan ; therapeutic use ; POEMS Syndrome ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of dose-reduced intravenous busulfan, cyclophosphamide and etoposide (BCV) as conditioning for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODSFrom September 2007 to September 2010, thirty-two ASCT-eligible patients with MM received high dose melphalan (HDM) as conditioning in our center. Median age was 53.5 (30-63) years. From October 2010 to October 2012, thirty-eight patients conditioned by BCV regimen (intravenous busulfan, total doses 9.6 mg/kg), whose median age was 54(35-64) years.

RESULTSThere were no statistical differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups, including myeloma isotype, Durie-Salmon staging, international staging system(ISS), and patients received the first line, second line or more than third line therapy. The median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment were 10.5 vs 11 days (P=0.057) and 11 vs 12 days (P=0.100) in the BCV and HDM groups, respectively. The toxicity of two conditioning regimens had no significant difference. None of hepatic veno-occlusive disease and early transplant related mortality was observed. Although overall response rates showed no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05), the CR rates increased from 44.74% pre-ASCT to 63.18% post-ASCT in the BCV group, while 37.50% to 59.38% in the HDM group. During the median follow-up of 16 months (range 2-27) in BCV group, ten patients (26.32%) developed progressive disease and PFS at 12 months were 71.37%.

CONCLUSIONSIn this study, the dose-reduced intravenous busulfan, cyclophosphamide and etoposide (BCV) conditioning was demonstrated an effective and safety regimen for ASCT-eligible patients with MM. However, the long term observation is needed.

Adult ; Busulfan ; therapeutic use ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Etoposide ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Male ; Melphalan ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; therapy ; Transplantation Conditioning ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical features, treatment response and prognosis of multiple myeloma patients aged over 80 years.

METHODSThe clinical data of 23 cases of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma aged over 80 years from February 2007 to July 2014 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The median age was 82, and all the patients had at least 2 complicated diseases. Only 1 patient gave up the chemotherapy because of the poor performance status, the other 22 cases received individualized treatments. Out of 23 patients, 10 received velcade containing regimen (velcade group) chemotherapy, 10 patients received melphalan containing regimen (conventional chemotherapy group) and 2 patients received lenalidomide.

RESULTS1 patient achieved complete remission, 1 patient achieved very good partial remission, 15 patients achieved partial remission, 1 patient achieved minor remission and 4 patients had progressed. Their median survival time was 19.5 months. Their survival rate of one-year, two-years, three-years were 73.9%, 39.1%, 26.1%, respectively. The median OS time and PFS time were 21.5 (9-46) vs 13 (3-23) months (P = 0.405) and 16 (5-38) vs 10 (3-19) months in the velcade group and conventional chemotherapy group, respectively. 9 cases had been alive until December 2015, while 14 cases had died.

CONCLUSIONMultiple meloma patients aged over 80 years diagnosed at advanced stage often accompanied with previous underlined diseases. Treatment should be individualized based on the evaluation of patient status. The OS and PFS time of patients could be prolonged using the velcade containing chemotherapy.

Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bortezomib ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Melphalan ; therapeutic use ; Multiple Myeloma ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thalidomide ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of low dose thalidomide (TD) combined with modified VCMP (vincristine+cyclophosphamide+melphalan+prednisone) (TD+mVCMP) and VAD (vincristine+doxorubicin+dexamethsone) (TD+VAD) regimens for treating aged patients with MM.

METHODSA total of 47 patients with newly diagnosed MM were enrolled in this study. Among them 27 cases were treated with TD+mVCMP regimen (TD+mVCMP group), 20 cases were treated with TD+VAD regimen (TD+VAD group). The dose of TD in 2 groups all was 100 mg/d. Each patient received 4 or more courses of treatment.

RESULTSOut of 27 cases in TD+mVCMP group, 9 cases achieved complete remission (CR), 5 cases-very good partial remission (VGPR), 6 cases-partial remission (PR); among 20 cases in TD+VAD group, 3 cases achieved CR, 3 cases achieved VGPR, 4 cases achieved PR. The total effective rate in 2 group was 74.1% and 50% respectively, there was statistical difference between 2 groups (P<0.05). The differences of Hb level, plasmocytic ratio of bone marrow and M protein level in 2 groups before and after treatment were significant (P<0.05). The 5 years survival rate of patients in TD+mVCMP and TD+VAD group was 72.8% and 66.9% respectively, there was no statistical difference (P>0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions including caxdiac toxicity, severe leucopenia and thrombocytopenia in TD+mVCMP group was lower than that in TD+VAD group.

CONCLUSIONLow dose TD combined with modified VCMP regimen for treatment of newly diagnosed aged patients with MM is safe and effective, which may be used as the first line treatment regimen for population in aged MM patients.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Cytarabine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Melphalan ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Remission Induction ; Survival Rate ; Thalidomide ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Thrombocytopenia ; Vincristine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and side-effects of low-dose melphalan for the treatment of intermediate- to high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients.

METHODSThirty patients with intermediate- to high-risk MDS received oral melphalan at a daily dose of 2 mg. The melphalan therapy was continued until marrow blasts increased or severe cytopenia attributed to melphalan. Patients achieved complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR) were still maintained with melphalan until disease relapse.

RESULTSAmong the 30 patients, 9 (30.0%) achieved CR, 3 (10.0%) PR, 3 (10.0%) bone marrow complete remission and hematology improvement (MCR + HI), 1 (3.3%) MCR, 4 (13.3%) stable disease and 10 (33.3%) no response, the overall response rate being 66.7% according to the Modified International Working Group Response Criteria for MDS. The CR plus PR rate (60.0%) and total response rate (80.0%) in patients with normocellular or hypocellular bone marrow were significantly higher than in those with hypercellular bone marrow (0.0%, 40%, respectively) (P = 0.002 and 0.045, respectively). Median overall survival (OS) and median relapse-free survival (RFS) were 18 (95% CI 14-22) and 11 (95% CI 3-19) months, respectively. There was no side-effect except for slight marrow suppression in 3 patients and one patient died from brain hemorrhage on inefficacy of platelet transfusion.

CONCLUSIONSLow-dose melphalan therapy for intermediate- to high-risk MDS patients is safe and effective, especially suitable for elderly patients with hypocellular marrow.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Melphalan ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Bendamustine Hydrochloride/therapeutic use* ; Etoposide ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Lymphoma/therapy* ; Melphalan ; Transplantation Conditioning ; Transplantation, Autologous