The Impact Of Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation As Part Of First Line Treatment On Outcome Of Patients With Multiple Myeloma Depends On The Method Of Analysis

The value of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) patients continues to be debated. Previously, we reported a donor versus no donor (DvND) analysis of MM patients, who were enrolled in the prospective upfront HOVON50 trial (Lokhorst, Blood 2012). By intention to treat, donor availability did not appear to be associated with better outcome. However, as a considerable number of MM patients with a matched related donor (MRD) were not transplanted, a DvND analysis may underestimate the effect of alloHSCT. Therefore, we performed a re-analysis using alloHSCT as a time dependent variable; this method has recently gained more attention since it may more closely evaluate the real impact of alloHSCT. In addition, a landmark (LM) analysis was performed and subsequently the 3 methods were compared.