Autologous stem cell transplantation in the treatment of multiple myeloma with 17p deletion.

INTRODUCTION: Deletion of chromosome 17p [del(17p)] in patients with multiple myeloma is associated with a poor prognosis. High­dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains the standard of treatment in this population. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the treatment outcomes with high­dose chemotherapy and ASCT with standard treatment in patients with del(17p). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected data from 12 Polish centers between 2011 and 2017. The records of 97 patients with p53 deletion were assessed, including 29 individuals treated with ACST and 68 receiving standard treatment alone. RESULTS: During the follow­up, 45 patients died and the overall survival (OS) for the whole group was 33 months (range, 1-66 months), with a median progression­free survival (PFS) of 13 months (range, 1-46 months). The prognostic factors of OS in a multivariable analysis were calcium levels at diagnosis within the reference range (hazard ratio [HR], 0.24; 95% CI, 0.12-0.48) and at least partial remission achieved after the first­line treatment (HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.12-0.51). Treatment with ASCT was an important factor in improving survival (HR, 3.23; 95% CI, 1.52-6.84). Abnormal kidney function at the time of diagnosis reduced the PFS (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.22-0.94). When the analysis was limited only to patients who could be candidates for ASCT, the survival benefit of the procedure was lost (P = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with multiple myeloma with del(17p) do not benefit from high­dose chemotherapy followed by ACST.

Treating oral mucositis with a supersaturated calcium phosphate rinse: comparison with control in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

PURPOSE: Of patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), 75% or more experience oral mucositis, a painful acute complication that can delay discharge, interrupt treatment, and threaten life. To evaluate the efficacy of a supersaturated calcium phosphate rinse (SCPR), we compared it with customary care--topical mouth solutions--on measures of severity and consequent interventions and complications. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 40 patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT were randomized: 20 to SCPR four times daily and 20 to solutions made with salvia leaf extract, iodine-povidine, and fluconazole. Treatment extended from initiation of conditioning treatment until the granulocyte count was ≥0.2 g/L. Mucositis severity was measured daily by a hematologist according to a World Health Organization (WHO) scale and self-assessed by patients. Need for interventions [analgesics, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor] and complications (acute graft-versus-host disease and infections) were also assessed. RESULTS: In comparison with the control group, the SCPR group had significantly lower mean measures of WHO oral toxicity (0.9 vs. 1.8; P = 0.02), disease course (3.2 vs. 7.1 days; P = 0.02), and peak mouth pain (0.85 vs. 1.75; P = 0.005). Analgesic need was significantly shorter (1.1 vs. 3.4 days; P = 0.047) and the need for TPN significantly lower (0 vs. 6 patients; P = 0.02; 0 vs. 1.9 mean days; P = 0.009). Measures of complications were lower in the SCPR group, but not significantly so. Trial limitations include the impracticality of achieving double blinding with agents so different in appearance and in preadministration preparation. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the control group, the SCPR group had significantly lower mean measures of oral toxicity, peak mouth pain, and disease course duration. These results warrant confirmation in controlled, multicenter, randomized trials.