[kt52km]

Kyprolis and need for blood transfusions

by kt52km on Fri Jun 07, 2013 6:34 am

Wondering if others are going on the same path too. Several of us with refractory multiple myeloma are taking kyprolis with success !However it is dropping the red blood cells and platelets down so quickly that we find ourselves meeting at the transfusion center ever 1-2 weeks. We receive Aranesp but it does not seem to hoId the counts. I also have had intermittent fevers during this treatment..Other than that, I have felt wonderful during the treatment. Have gone through all of the treatments available for past 7 years including stem cell transplant.

[Dr. Jason Valent]

Re: kyprolis and need for blood transfusions

by Dr. Jason Valent on Tue Jun 11, 2013 8:55 am

With effective treatment of the myeloma, the need for transfusion should diminish over time. The need for blood products is common during treatment for relapsed disease. As long as the neutrophil count is adequate, I often continue treatment with transfusion support of red blood cells and platelets.

If the blood markers of disease are much lower and there is still transfusion need, a repeat bone marrow biopsy could be considered.