Stem cell mobilization kinetics in elderly patients with multiple myeloma

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Oncology
• Transplantation Medicine

Background:

• Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a cornerstone therapy for multiple myeloma (MM).
• Assessing the impact of advanced age on HSCT procedure and product kinetics is crucial for optimizing patient selection and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age-related differences in procedure and product kinetics during autologous HSCT in advanced-age MM patients.
• To determine if stem cell mobilization and collection parameters vary between younger elderly (60-65 years) and older elderly (≥65 years) MM patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 59 advanced-age MM patients who underwent autologous HSCT.
• Patients were stratified into two age groups: 60-65 years and ≥65 years.
• Comparison of procedure duration and CD34+ stem cell collection yields between the two age groups.

Main Results:

• The procedure duration was significantly shorter in the ≥65 years group (p=0.013).
• The number of collected CD34+ stem cells did not significantly differ between the 60-65 years (6.20×10^6 ±3.83) and ≥65 years (5.51×10^6 ±2.48) groups (p=0.825).

Conclusions:

• Advanced age does not significantly impact the number of collected CD34+ stem cells in MM patients undergoing autologous HSCT.
• Successful stem cell mobilization is feasible in appropriately selected elderly patients, irrespective of age.
• Age should not be an absolute contraindication for autologous HSCT in MM if patients are carefully selected.