Bone marrow transplantation in multiple myeloma: report from the European Cooperative Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation

Of 14 patients who received an allogeneic bone marrow graft from HLA-compatible sibling donors, 10 have survived for 6 to 34 months posttransplantation (median, 12 months). Four patients have died, two of relapse at extramedullary sites, one of severe acute GVHD, and one from GI bleeding and pericardial effusion. One patient is alive in relapse and four patients have signs of minimal persistent disease. Five patients are well without signs of active disease. Minor improvement in osteolytic lesions on X-ray were seen in three patients, but the X-ray bone structure was mainly unchanged in most patients. Bone marrow transplantation appears promising for treatment of certain patients with multiple myeloma.