Long-Term Outcomes Of Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Using Melphalan And Total Body Irradiation Conditioning In Multiple Myeloma

Background: The prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM) has improved significantly over the last 20 years due to the introduction of autologous stem cell transplantation and novel drugs. The standard regimen for conditioning in MM is melphalan 200 mg/m2, since a study published in 2002 (Moreau et al.) showed a survival advantage of melphalan (MEL) only over melphalan- total body irradiation (MEL-TBI) conditioning. Ionizing radiation is an independent treatment modality and has activity in MM. We decided to reevaluate the outcome of MEL-TBI conditioning in the age of novel drugs.