Hello my mother in law is 51 days post stem cell transplant. Her bone marrow biopsy was done at 43 days along with her bloods and urine. Her results are 1% cancer cells in her marrow and urine. They said she has a very good partial response (VGPR). She starts thalidomide and Velcade next week.
I'm just wondering has anyone gone on to achieve a CR after getting a VGPR? We are still very new to all this.
Thank you.
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Re: VGPR 43 days after transplant - is CR still possible?
I had my transplant in June of 2012. I didn't reach CR until 10 months later. Don't lose heart.
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Guitarnut - Name: Scott Hansgen
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: VGPR 43 days after transplant - is CR still possible?
Kriddy,
It is still very early in this process and the body is still re-building its immune system. I wouldn't read anything into the prospects for CR at this early juncture. Things can definitely improve more in the coming months.
100 days is an important milestone post-transplant, but it isn't the only milestone. Folks continue to improve for months after that (as Guitarnut points out).
It is still very early in this process and the body is still re-building its immune system. I wouldn't read anything into the prospects for CR at this early juncture. Things can definitely improve more in the coming months.
100 days is an important milestone post-transplant, but it isn't the only milestone. Folks continue to improve for months after that (as Guitarnut points out).
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: VGPR 43 days after transplant - is CR still possible?
Dear Kriddy,
I agree with the others. Yes, the response can continue to improve beyond 43 days. The majority of patients will maximize their response within the first 6 months, although, as noted in this posting string, improved responses beyond 10 months are also achievable.
There are two other things to consider here.
First, your mother in law has had a terrific response! 1% plasma cells in the bone marrow is great!
Second, there are other things that can be done after recovery from stem cell transplant to deepen the response. You can receive post-transplant consolidation therapy. Based on your post, it sounds like that is what is being done. Such an approach has been shown to deepen responses. Responses can also improve with the use of maintenance lenalidomide (Revlimid) or bortezomib (Velcade).
These are issues that will need to be discussed with her oncologist moving forward, but make no mistake -- she is on track!
Take care,
Pete V.
I agree with the others. Yes, the response can continue to improve beyond 43 days. The majority of patients will maximize their response within the first 6 months, although, as noted in this posting string, improved responses beyond 10 months are also achievable.
There are two other things to consider here.
First, your mother in law has had a terrific response! 1% plasma cells in the bone marrow is great!
Second, there are other things that can be done after recovery from stem cell transplant to deepen the response. You can receive post-transplant consolidation therapy. Based on your post, it sounds like that is what is being done. Such an approach has been shown to deepen responses. Responses can also improve with the use of maintenance lenalidomide (Revlimid) or bortezomib (Velcade).
These are issues that will need to be discussed with her oncologist moving forward, but make no mistake -- she is on track!
Take care,
Pete V.
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Dr. Peter Voorhees - Name: Peter Voorhees, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
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