Is there benefit in adding Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation to patients with Multiple Myeloma who receive Lenalidomide in the maintenance phase? Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: The controversy on the benefit of adding hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to patients receiving Lenalidomide in the maintenance phase of patients with Multiple Myeloma is in full debate in the scientific community, so the objective of this study was to measure survival in a group of patients in these conditions.

Methods: This analytical observational study carried out with cancer patients admitted to the SOLCA Hospital during the period of January 2014-May 2018. With a non-probabilistic sample, patients with Multiple Myeloma, older than 18 years, were selected in whose treatment Lenalidomide is included. Group 1 (G1): patients with bone marrow transplantation, Group 2: patients not candidates for bone marrow transplantation. The demographic, descriptive clinical variables (ISS, ECOG), survival as the main variable and secondary effects. Kaplan-Meyer survival analysis was performed.

Results: 23 cases were included in G1 and 26 cases in G2. Age in G1 53 years (Range 38-70), in G2: 65 years (Range 46-85) P = 0.13. In G1 they were 12/23 (52%) men, in G2 they were 15/26 (57%) P = 0.93. ISS grade II 11/23 (48%) in G1 and 10/26 (38%) in G2 P = 0.51. ECOG 2 in G1: 12/23 (52%) and in G2 16/26 (32%) in G2 P = 0.51. Progression-free survival in Group 1-HSCT at 24 months of follow-up was 98%, in Group 2 not Candidate for HSCT at 24 months of follow-up it was 82%, Log Rank test P = 0.023. X2 = 5.192. Overall survival in Group 1-HSCT at 24 months of follow-up was 100%, in Group 2 not Candidate for HSCT at 24 months of follow-up it was 90%, Log Rank test P = 0.17. X2 = 1.846.

Conclusion: In the present study, it was demonstrated that progression-free survival is higher in the group of patients with Multiple Myeloma who underwent Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation versus the group of patients with Multiple Myeloma who are not candidates for Transplantation. Overall survival is the same in both groups.