[Wfmom]

Time between auto & allo SCT for plasma cell leukemia?

by Wfmom on Fri May 30, 2014 3:41 pm

My husband was diagnosed with primary plasma cell leukemia [PCL] in Jan 2014. He had 4 cycles of RVD [Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone] and had an auto stem cell transplant [SCT] 3 weeks ago.

We understand that his best chance of a lengthy remission is with an allo SCT, but have read differing time periods between the two. Knowing that primary PCL relapses quickly, we're trying to learn as much as possible.

He has done very well after the auto and wonder how much we should push for a quick turnaround to the allo SCT. We haven't been able to get any commitments from his doctor yet as to what future treatment will include or when.

[Dr. Jonathan Kaufman]

Re: Time between auto & allo SCT for plasma cell leukemia?

by Dr. Jonathan Kaufman on Sat May 31, 2014 3:13 pm

Wfmom,

That is great news that your husband has done well with the initial treatment and the auto transplant. You are correct that there should not be too much time between his auto and whatever treatment is next. If an allo transplant is performed after an auto transplant, it is typically done two to four months later. We typically start patients like your husband on an aggressive maintenance approach approximately 60 days after the auto transplant. We published data on this approach recently.

"Consolidation and maintenance therapy with lenalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone (RVD) in high-risk myeloma patients." Nooka AK, Kaufman JL, Muppidi S, Langston A, Heffner LT, Gleason C, Casbourne D, Saxe D, Boise LH, Lonial S., Leukemia. 2014 Mar;28(3):690-3. doi: 10.1038/leu.2013.335. Epub 2013 Nov 13.

[This study was reviewed in the Beacon article "Extended Post-Transplant Treatment With Revlimid, Velcade, And Dexamethasone Yields High Survival Rates In High-Risk Myeloma"]

I wish you the best,

Jlk