Dr. van Besien on Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Hematologic Malignancies

Koen van Besien, MD, PhD, director, Stem Cell Transplant Program, professor of medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, attending physician, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, discusses use of autologous stem cell transplantation in large cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Autologous stem cell transplantation is delivered in the form of intensive chemotherapy through stem cells. It has long been established as a standard of care in both large cell lymphoma and myeloma. However, the role of autologous stem cell transplantation has been challenged because of numerous new agents.

In the last 2 years, several studies have re-established it as the preferred frontline treatment in multiple myeloma. It has a number of advantages; it leads to better remissions than other treatments and shows a more prolonged progression-free survival. Now, there are data suggesting that patients with adverse prognostic features see a survival advantage as well.