title: Tandem high-dose therapy (HDT) for multiple myeloma: recombinant human erythropoietin therapy given between first and second HDT allows second peripheral blood stem cell transplantation without red blood cell transfusion.
abstract: We evaluated the ability of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) therapy, given before high-dose therapy (HDT), to allow autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) without red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. Eleven multiple myeloma patients underwent tandem HDT and autologous PBSC, receiving 500 U/kg/week rHuEpo from d 30 after initial transplant. Haemoglobin levels were 9.5 +/- 1.1 g/dl and 12.5 +/- 0.9 g/dl at the first and second transplant respectively (P < 0.001). RBC transfusions were required for 10/11 patients for the first transplant versus 1/11 for the second (P < 0.001). To conclude, a short course of rHuEpo therapy before HDT facilitates the performance of an autologous transplant without RBC transfusions.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D036102:Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012086:Reoperation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin