title: [Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for refractory multiple myeloma: presence of a graft-versus-myeloma effect].
abstract: We investigated the graft-versus-myeloma effect (GVM) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT). Three patients with refractory multiple myeloma (MM) underwent related allo-BMT. Two of the patients showed disappearance of serum M protein 4 and 5 months after transplantation, respectively. One of them has remained in complete remission for more than 22 months after allo-BMT, with accompanying chronic GVHD. Two patients with relapse and disease progression after allo-BMT underwent donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI). Although one patient did not respond to DLI, the other developed acute GVHD after 4 weeks and achieved a 75% reduction in serum M protein. DLI did not produce severe acute GVHD or myelosuppression. These findings suggest the presence of a GVM effect. DLI may be an effective therapy for patients with MM who have relapsed after allo-BMT. Furthermore, non-myeloablative stem cell transplantation (mini-transplantation) for refractory MM should be investigated further as a potentially curative option.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nawa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Noguchi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D020350:Graft vs Tumor Effect; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D011239:Prednisolone