title: The role of tandem stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) represents the standard treatment in eligible "de-novo" multiple myeloma (MM) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  ASCT may be single or tandem, and a single ASCT can be followed by an allogeneic (Allo)-SCT. A systematic review has been conducted to examine the current evidence for the efficacy of using a tandem transplant strategy in MM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A tandem ASCT approach should be considered for all patients, although the benefit from the second ASCT in patients who are in complete remission or experience a very good partial response should be answered in a clinical trial. Recent results with the new induction regimens indicate that there is a role for tandem ASCT in the presence of adverse cytogenetic abnormalities. Planned AlloSCT after ASCT has not been found to be superior in the majority of studies and is not recommended outside of a clinical trial. However, single or tandem ASCT are both appropriate options and participation in prospective clinical trials should be encouraged to resolve the debate in the era of novel agents for MM.
authors.affiliation: a Hematology, Stem Cell Collection and Transplant Unit, Oncology and Hematology Department , Azienda Ospedaliera BMM , Reggio Calabria , Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.affiliation: b Biotechnology Research Unit , Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Cosenza , Aprigliano (CS) , Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Grazia
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Recchia
authors.affiliation: a Hematology, Stem Cell Collection and Transplant Unit, Oncology and Hematology Department , Azienda Ospedaliera BMM , Reggio Calabria , Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fedele
authors.affiliation: c Hematology Unit , Azienda Ospedaliera 'Papardo' , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Santo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Neri
authors.affiliation: d Hematology Unit , Azienda Ospedaliera BMM , Reggio Calabria , Italy.
authors.forename: Iolanda Donatella
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Vincelli
authors.affiliation: a Hematology, Stem Cell Collection and Transplant Unit, Oncology and Hematology Department , Azienda Ospedaliera BMM , Reggio Calabria , Italy.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moscato
authors.affiliation: e Hematology Unit , Azienda Ospedaliera Cosenza , Cosenza , Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.affiliation: b Biotechnology Research Unit , Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Cosenza , Aprigliano (CS) , Italy.|e Hematology Unit , Azienda Ospedaliera Cosenza , Cosenza , Italy.
authors.forename: Fortunato
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morabito
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation; Multiple Myeloma; New Drugs; Single Transplant; Tandem Transplant