Early Relapse After Autologous Transplant Is Associated With Very Poor Survival and Identifies an Ultra-High-Risk Group of Patients With Myeloma.

Introduction: Patients relapsing early after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) are a particular therapeutic challenge.

Methods: This was a retrospective, single center study that included 297 consecutive patients that received first-line ASCT RESULTS: We identified 43 (14.5%) patients that relapsed within <12 months. At diagnosis, these patients had more often elevated lactate dehydrogenase, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, hypercalcemia, and high-risk cytogenetics; the International Staging System stage distribution was similar. Consolidation and maintenance were associated with lower rates of early relapses. Progression-free survival to second-line therapy was 5 months versus 19 months for those with an early versus late relapse (P < .001), the median PFS to second-line therapy was 15.5 months versus >5 years (P < .001) and the median post-ASCT survival was 18 months versus >6 years. The survival after an early relapse has not improved significantly over time. In multivariate analysis, early relapse (hazard ratio, 14; P < .001) was the most important prognostic factor for poor survival after ASCT.

Conclusion: Patients relapsing <12 months after ASCT comprise an ultra-high-risk group, with poor outcomes even with the application of the more recent combinations, that urgently needs more effective therapies.