Recommend upfront consolidation with high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell support

The overall goal of treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) is to prolong survival for as long as possible with the minimal treatment burden for each patient. Consolidation with upfront high-dose melphalan and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) can prolong progression-free and overall survival by deepening response. It thereby can improve quality of life by allowing patients to have a time on maintenance therapy along with infrequent office visits, making it cost-effective in many situations. The impact of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity is important, but further studies are needed to quantify the pharmacoeconomic and quality-of-life differences between early and delayed transplant strategies. Therefore, with the currently available evidence, upfront ASCT is standard of care regardless of MRD status.