Emerging role for reduced intensity allotransplant in multiple myeloma

Allografting for multiple myeloma appears a more potent anti-tumor treatment than autografting with more frequent molecular remissions. However, the curative potential of myeloablative allografting for myeloma patients has not fully been elucidated because of the unacceptably high transplant-related mortality, primarily as a consequence of infection and graft versus host disease. Moreover, as it is performed in patients under 50 years of age, this procedure is only for a minority of myeloma patients. Indeed, mortality rates have decreased in the last decade because of advances in supportive care and a trend toward transplant earlier during the disease course.