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We conducted a phase I–II study to evaluate Nilotinib (NIL) safety and pharmacokinetics in 22 SR-cGVHD patients; we also evaluated ORR by using in parallel NIH criteria and an exploratory approach, combining objective improvement (OI) without failure criteria (GITMO criteria). Results: 22 patients were enrolled. After dose escalation up to 600 mg/day, MTD was not reached. Main toxicities were asthenia, headache, nausea, pruritus, cramps, and mild anemia. Mean and median plasma concentrations of NIL (C-NIL) were 817 (SD ± 450) and 773 ng/ml. ORR at 6 months, according to 2005 and 2014 NIH and GITMO criteria were 27.8%, 22.2%, and 55.6% respectively; close correspondence has been observed for ORR, according to 2014 NIH criteria, both assessed in a conventional way and assisted by dedicated software (CROSY). At 48 months OS was 75% while FFS, according to NIH and GITMO criteria, was 30 and 25%. In conclusion the safety profile of NIL and long-term outcome makes NIL an attractive option in SR-cGVHD. Exploratory GITMO criteria could represent an alternative tool for easy response evaluation in patients with prevalent skin and lung involvement, but require validation in a larger population; CROSY software showed excellent reliability in capturing ORR according to the 2014 NIH criteria.

The effects of graft or donor characteristics in haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) using post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) are largely unknown. In this multicenter retrospective study we analyzed the correlations between graft cell composition (CD34+, CD3+) and donor features on transplant outcomes in 234 patients who underwent HCT between 2010 and 2016. On multivariate analysis, the use of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) was associated with an increased incidence of grade 2–4 acute GVHD [HR 1.94, 95% confidence Interval (CI) = 1.01–3.98, p= 0.05]. An elevated CD3+ graft content was associated with an increased incidence of all-grade chronic GVHD [HR 1.36 (95% CI = 1.06–1.74), p= 0.01]. This effect was confirmed only for the PBSC graft group. A higher CD34+ graft content had a protective role on non-relapse mortality [HR 0.78 (95% CI = 0.62–0.96), p= 0.02] but this was confirmed only for the bone marrow (BM)-derived graft cohort. Donor characteristics did not influence any outcomes. GVHD prophylaxis should be modulated accordingly to CD3+ graft content, especially when a PBSC graft is used. These results need further validation in prospective trials.

Several guidelines have been published about management of chronic GvHD (cGvHD), but the clinical practice still remains demanding. The Gruppo Italiano Trapianto di Midollo Osseo (GITMO) has planned a prospective observational study on cGvHD, supported by a dedicated software, including the updated recommendations. In view of this study, two surveys have been conducted, focusing the management of cGvHD and ancillary therapy in cGvHD, to address the current ‘real life’ situation. The two surveys were sent to all 57 GITMO centers, performing allografting in Italy; the response rate was 57% and 66% of the interviewed centers, respectively. The first survey showed a great disparity especially regarding steroid-refractory cGvHD, although extracorporeal photo-apheresis resulted as the most indicated treatment in this setting. Another challenging issue was the strategy for tapering steroid: our survey showed a great variance, and this disagreement could be a real bias in evaluating outcomes in prospective studies. As for the second survey, the results suggest that the ancillary treatments are not standardized in many centers. All responding centers reported a strong need to standardize management of cGvHD and to participate in prospective trials. Before starting observational and/or interventional studies, a detailed knowledge of current practice should be encouraged.

In newly diagnosed myeloma patients, upfront autologous transplant (ASCT) prolongs progression-free survival 1 (PFS1) compared with chemotherapy plus lenalidomide (CC+R). Salvage ASCT at first relapse may still effectively rescue patients who did not receive upfront ASCT. To evaluate the long-term benefit of upfront ASCT vs CC+R and the impact of salvage ASCT in patients who received upfront CC+R, we conducted a pooled analysis of 2 phase III trials (RV-MM-209 and EMN-441). Primary endpoints were PFS1, progression-free survival 2 (PFS2), overall survival (OS). A total of 268 patients were randomized to 2 courses of melphalan 200 mg/m2and ASCT (MEL200-ASCT) and 261 to CC+R. Median follow-up was 46 months. MEL200-ASCT significantly improved PFS1 (median: 42 vs 24 months, HR 0.53; P<0.001), PFS2 (4 years: 71 vs 54%, HR 0.53, P<0.001) and OS (4 years: 84 vs 70%, HR 0.51, P<0.001) compared with CC+R. The advantage was noticed in good and bad prognosis patients. Only 53% of patients relapsing from CC+R received ASCT at first relapse. Upfront ASCT significantly reduced the risk of death (HR 0.51; P=0.007) in comparison with salvage ASCT. In conclusion, these data confirm the role of upfront ASCT as the standard approach for all young myeloma patients.

The clinical outcome of primary refractory (PRF) AML patients is poor and only a minor proportion of patients is rescued by allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The identification of pre-HSCT variables may help to determine PRF AML patients who can most likely benefit from HSCT. We analyzed PRF AML patients transplanted between 1999 and 2012 from a sibling, unrelated donor or a cord blood unit. Overall, 227 patients from 26 Gruppo Italiano Trapianto di Midollo Osseo e Terapia cellulare centers were included in the analysis. At 3 years, the overall survival was 14%. By multivariate analysis, the number of chemotherapy cycles, (hazard ratio (HR): 1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24–2.85; P=0.0028), the percentage of bone marrow or peripheral blood blasts (HR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.16–2.64; P=0.0078), the adverse cytogenetic (HR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.00–2.07; P=0.0508) and the age of patients (HR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.08–2.88; P=0.0223) remained significantly associated with survival. Thus, we set up a new score predicting at 3 years after transplantation, an overall survival probability of 32% for patients with score 0 (no or 1 prognostic factor), 10% for patients with score 1 (2 prognostic factors) and 3% for patients with score 2 (3 or 4 prognostic factors).

Identification of patient sub-groups with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) at high risk of progression to active disease (MM) is an important goal. 18F-FDG PET/CT (positron emission tomography (PET) integrated with computed tomography (PET/CT) using glucose labelled with the positron-emitting radionuclide 18F) allows for assessing early skeletal involvement. Identification of osteolytic lesions by this technique has recently been incorporated into the updated International Myeloma Working Group criteria for MM diagnosis. However, no data are available regarding the impact of focal lesions (FLs) without underlying osteolysis on time to progression (TTP) to MM. We hence prospectively studied a cohort of 120 SMM patients with PET/CT. PET/CT was positive in 16% of patients (1 FL: 8, 2 FLs: 3, >3 FLs: 6, diffuse bone marrow involvement: 2). With a median follow-up of 2.2 years, 38% of patients progressed to MM, in a median time of 4 years, including 21% with skeletal involvement. The risk of progression of those with positive PET/CT was 3.00 (95% confidence interval 1.58–5.69, P=0.001), with a median TTP of 1.1 versus 4.5 years for PET/CT-negative patients. The probability of progression within 2 years was 58% for positive versus 33% for negative patients. In conclusion, PET/CT positivity significantly increased the risk of progression of SMM to MM. PET/CT could become a new tool to define high-risk SMM.

Background: Defibrotide is a deoxyribonucleic acid derivative that has been developed for the treatment of different vascular disorders. Objective: The authors reviewed the literature to give due representation to the spectrum of pharmacological properties and clinical application of this drug, evaluating consolidate and innovative application. Methods: The authors used PubMed from November 1982 to December 2007 and meeting abstracts (form American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting) with updated data as the sources for this review and selecting the most relevant papers when two or more articles covered the same point of interest. Conclusions: Defibrotide has been used effectively in the treatment of endothelial complications of allogeneic stem cell transplantation and recent preclinical evidences suggest an antiangiogenic effect and an anticancer activity. Further in vivoand in vitroinvestigations are needed.

The evolution of the near-surface states of a-Si:H is investigated as a function of Cs adsorption. At low coverage there is a large increase of band bending with a creation of a large number of negatively-charged deep states inside the sample. At high coverage most of the Cs charge remains trapped at the interface producing a large decrease of the photothreshold.

The concept of genetic randomisation has been applied to assess clinical outcomes between patients with hematological cancers treated with allografting or other therapies. Though not universally accepted, the comparison by the intention-to-treat principle between patients with HLA-identical siblings, who can be assigned to allografting, and those without, who cannot receive an allograft, is used as a surrogate for an unbiased randomisation. We previously published the results of a study where the treatment assignment of 162 newly diagnosed patients younger than 65 years was based only on the presence/absence of an HLA-identical sibling (Bruno et al, N Engl J Med). First-line treatment plans included a cytoreductive autograft followed by a nonmyeloablative allograft (Tandem auto-allo) or a second melphalan-based autograft (Double-auto). Primary endpoints were overall (OS) and event-free (EFS) survivals by intention-to-treat analysis. The 80 patients with a sibling donor were offered a Tandem auto-allo and the 82 without a Double-auto after high (140–200 mg/m2) or intermediate dose melphalan (100 mg/m2). After a median follow up of 45 (range 21–90) months, OS and EFS were significantly longer in patients with donors: 80 versus 54 months (p=0.01) and 35 versus 29 months (p=0.02). Median OS was not reached in the 58 (out of 60 enrolled, 97%) patients who completed Tandem auto-allo and was 58 months in the 46 (out of 59 enrolled, 78%) who completed high-dose double-auto (p=0.03). Here, we report a update analysis. At a median follow up of 56 months, OS was not reached for the 80 patients with an HLA-identical sibling and was 56 months for those without (HR 0.53, CI 95% 0.33–0.86, p=0.009). EFS remained significantly longer in patients with HLA-identical siblings: 35 versus 29 months (HR: 0.61; 95% Cl: 0.42–0.88, p=0.008). Median OS was not reached in the 58 patients who completed Tandem auto-allo and was 63 months in the 46 who completed high-dose double-auto (HR 0.47, CI 95% 0.25–0.86, p=0.016). EFS was 43 and 33 months (HR 0.64, CI 95% 0.40–1.02, p=0.06). By multivariate analysis, the presence of HLA-identical siblings was significantly correlated with longer OS and EFS. We carried out a stratified analysis, on the intent-to-treat population, that defined a patient subgroup at high risk in the light of high b -2-microglobulin levels or presence of del(13). The adjusted HRs by Cox models were 0.34 for OS and 0.52 for EFS similar to those obtained in the whole series. Though this exploratory analysis has low statistical power, its results indicate that del(13) does not offset the advantage in OS and EFS for patients with an HLA-identical sibling, but do not exclude an impact of del(13) in those patients undergoing an allograft. Attal et al. (N Engl J Med) previously reported median OS and EFS of 58 and 30 months, respectively, after double autologous transplantation, consistent with our results (OS: 63 months; EFS: 33 months). However, the EFS after Tandem auto-allo also indicates that long-term disease control is an issue. Allografting and new drugs with molecular targets should not be viewed as mutually exclusive. Thus, it is imperative to thoroughly explore their roles in increasing the response rates and their duration in Tandem auto-allo.

Nonmyeloablative (NM) regimens extended the application of allogeneic transplantation (AT) to older and/or medically unfit patients ineligible for high-dose conditionings. Moreover, several patients are offered AT after failure of prior lines of therapy. We retrospectively evaluated 108 patients, median age 51 (16–67), with advanced or heavily pre-treated hematological cancers [19 acute myeloblastic (AML) and 1 lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); 8 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS); 9 chronic myeloid (CML) and 9 chronic lymphocitic leukemia; 3 myelofibrosis (MF); 48 myeloma beyond first line treatment; 8 Hodgkin’s and 8 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) who underwent NM-AT at 12 Italian transplant Centres. Median time between diagnosis and transplant was 20 months. Sixty-one% of patients had failed at least one prior line of therapy, including 36 refractory or relapsed patients after 1 or more autologous transplants. At allografting, 15 patients had disease at lower risk of relapse (AML and ALL in first complete remission (CR), MDS without blast excess, CML in first chronic phase, untreated MF). Forty-two patients had active disease. The comorbidity score was evaluated with an AT-specific comorbidity index (CI) as described by Sorror et al: 51 patients had CI=0, 42 CI=1–2 and 15 CI≥3. Patients were conditioned with fludarabine 90 mg/m2 and 2 Gy total body irradiation. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine and mycophenolate mophetile. Graft failure was observed in 1 patient and rejection after disease recurrence in 4. After a median follow-up of 28 months post-allografting, 58 (54%) had refractory/progressive disease and 36 (33%) were in CR, including 23 who were not in CR at transplant (p<0,001). Cumulative incidences of grade II–IV acute GVHD and extensive chronic GVHD were 35% and 60% respectively. Fourteen patients (13%) died of transplant-related causes (TRM) and 36 (33%) of disease progression (DRM). Two-year TRM was 12% and was higher in patients with CI≥3 (HR 2.84, p=0.08) whereas DRM was 31% and was significantly influenced by disease status at transplant (HR 0.37 for patients in partial (PR) or CR, p=0.003). Median event-free (EFS) and overall survivals (OS) were 11 (95% Cl: 8–15) and 35 months (95% Cl: 21–42) respectively. OS was significantly better in patients in remission (HR 0.44, p=0.004) and a trend for better OS was also observed in patients with CI<3 (HR 0.73, p=n.s.). By multivariate analysis, disease remission at transplant was associated with better OS and EFS (HR 0.39, p=0.001 and HR 0.41, p<0.001 respectively) and there was a trend for worse EFS in patients with CI≥3 (HR 1.88, p=0.08). Age, number of prior therapies and time between diagnosis and AT did not affect OS and EFS. In summary, though retrospective, this report confirms that disease-status and comorbidity scores predict transplant outcome. The use of AT specific comorbidity scores in prospective studies is imperative to select patients who most benefit from this procedure.

The development of nonmyeloablative conditionings has recently reduced the transplant-related mortality (TRM) and extended the eligible age for transplantation up to 65–70 years. From January 2000 to June 2005, 106 newly diagnosed patients younger than 65 years were enrolled in a prospective phase II study at 15 Italian Centers. Fifty-eight were also previously described in a comparison of autografting with allografting based on a genetic randomisation (Bruno et al. N Engl J Med 2007). Here we report on a larger GITMO experience with a longer follow-up. Induction chemotherapy consisted of VAD-based regimens, followed by a cytoreductive autograft with melphalan 200 mg/m2, and by a non-myeloablative 2 Gy TBI-based allograft from an HLA-identical sibling. Graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis included cyclosporin and mycophenolate mofetil. Primary endpoints were overall (OS) and event-free (EFS) survivals. Secondary endpoint was TRM. One-hundred-two (96%) patients, median age 54 (30–65), completed the tandem program whereas 4 withdrew their consent. After a median follow-up of 54 (21–94) months, OS was not reached and median EFS was 35 (31–56) months post-transplant. Incidences of acute grade II-IV GHVD and extensive chronic GVHD were 40% and 50% respectively. Fourteen (13%) patients died from TRM, 14 (13%) from disease progression, 2 from lung cancer (2%) and 1 from lymphoma (1%). Overall response, defined as complete (CR) and partial remission, was 91% (93/102), with 53 patients achieving CR. Overall 39/102 patients relapsed, however only 8/53 of those who reached CR post-transplant. By multivariate-analysis disease response prior to allografting was significantly associated with longer OS (HR 0.27, CI 0.09–0.80, p<0.018) and longer EFS (HR 0.23, CI 0.11–0.49, p<0.001). Interestingly, chronic GVHD was not correlated with either the achievement of post-transplant CR (HR 0.87, CI 0.45–1.65, p<0.66) or its duration (HR 0.79, CI 0.45–1.40, p<0.42). Presence of del(13) was evaluated only in a subset of 39 patients: 13 carried del(13) and 26 did not. OS was not reached in the patients without del(13) and was 52 months in patients with del(13) (p=0.32), however EFS was not reached in the patients without del(13) whereas was 27 months for patients with del(13) (p=0.04). Given the encouraging results, the design of prospective studies that incorporate new drugs to cytoreduce the disease pre-transplant and enhance graft-vs.-myeloma are warranted to lower relapse rates and improve clinical outcomes.

The concept of genetic randomisation has been applied to assess clinical outcomes between patients with hematological cancers treated with allografting or other therapies. Though not universally accepted, the comparison by the intention-to-treat principle between patients with HLA-identical siblings, who can be assigned to allografting, and those without, who cannot receive an allograft, is used as a surrogate for an unbiased randomisation. We previously published the results of a study where the treatment assignment of 162 newly diagnosed patients younger than 65 years was based only on the presence/absence of an HLA-identical sibling (Bruno et al, N Engl J Med). First-line treatment plans included a cytoreductive autograft followed by a nonmyeloablative allograft (Tandem auto-allo) or a second melphalan-based autograft (Double-auto). Primary endpoints were overall (OS) and event-free (EFS) survivals by intention-to-treat analysis. The 80 patients with a sibling donor were offered a Tandem auto-allo and the 82 without a Double-auto after high (140–200 mg/m2) or intermediate dose melphalan (100 mg/m2). After a median follow up of 45 (range 21–90) months, OS and EFS were significantly longer in patients with donors: 80 versus 54 months (p=0.01) and 35 versus 29 months (p=0.02). Median OS was not reached in the 58 (out of 60 enrolled, 97%) patients who completed Tandem auto-allo and was 58 months in the 46 (out of 59 enrolled, 78%) who completed high-dose double-auto (p=0.03). Here, we report a update analysis. At a median follow up of 56 months, OS was not reached for the 80 patients with an HLA-identical sibling and was 56 months for those without (HR 0.53, CI 95% 0.33–0.86, p=0.009). EFS remained significantly longer in patients with HLA-identical siblings: 35 versus 29 months (HR: 0.61; 95% Cl: 0.42–0.88, p=0.008). Median OS was not reached in the 58 patients who completed Tandem auto-allo and was 63 months in the 46 who completed high-dose double-auto (HR 0.47, CI 95% 0.25–0.86, p=0.016). EFS was 43 and 33 months (HR 0.64, CI 95% 0.40–1.02, p=0.06). By multivariate analysis, the presence of HLA-identical siblings was significantly correlated with longer OS and EFS. We carried out a stratified analysis, on the intent-to-treat population, that defined a patient subgroup at high risk in the light of high b -2-microglobulin levels or presence of del(13). The adjusted HRs by Cox models were 0.34 for OS and 0.52 for EFS similar to those obtained in the whole series. Though this exploratory analysis has low statistical power, its results indicate that del(13) does not offset the advantage in OS and EFS for patients with an HLA-identical sibling, but do not exclude an impact of del(13) in those patients undergoing an allograft. Attal et al. (N Engl J Med) previously reported median OS and EFS of 58 and 30 months, respectively, after double autologous transplantation, consistent with our results (OS: 63 months; EFS: 33 months). However, the EFS after Tandem auto-allo also indicates that long-term disease control is an issue. Allografting and new drugs with molecular targets should not be viewed as mutually exclusive. Thus, it is imperative to thoroughly explore their roles in increasing the response rates and their duration in Tandem auto-allo.

Nonmyeloablative (NM) regimens extended the application of allogeneic transplantation (AT) to older and/or medically unfit patients ineligible for high-dose conditionings. Moreover, several patients are offered AT after failure of prior lines of therapy. We retrospectively evaluated 108 patients, median age 51 (16–67), with advanced or heavily pre-treated hematological cancers [19 acute myeloblastic (AML) and 1 lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); 8 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS); 9 chronic myeloid (CML) and 9 chronic lymphocitic leukemia; 3 myelofibrosis (MF); 48 myeloma beyond first line treatment; 8 Hodgkin's and 8 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) who underwent NM-AT at 12 Italian transplant Centres. Median time between diagnosis and transplant was 20 months. Sixty-one% of patients had failed at least one prior line of therapy, including 36 refractory or relapsed patients after 1 or more autologous transplants. At allografting, 15 patients had disease at lower risk of relapse (AML and ALL in first complete remission (CR), MDS without blast excess, CML in first chronic phase, untreated MF). Forty-two patients had active disease. The comorbidity score was evaluated with an AT-specific comorbidity index (CI) as described by Sorror et al: 51 patients had CI=0, 42 CI=1–2 and 15 CI≥3. Patients were conditioned with fludarabine 90 mg/m2and 2 Gy total body irradiation. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine and mycophenolate mophetile. Graft failure was observed in 1 patient and rejection after disease recurrence in 4. After a median follow-up of 28 months post-allografting, 58 (54%) had refractory/progressive disease and 36 (33%) were in CR, including 23 who were not in CR at transplant (p<0,001). Cumulative incidences of grade II–IV acute GVHD and extensive chronic GVHD were 35% and 60% respectively. Fourteen patients (13%) died of transplant-related causes (TRM) and 36 (33%) of disease progression (DRM). Two-year TRM was 12% and was higher in patients with CI≥3 (HR 2.84, p=0.08) whereas DRM was 31% and was significantly influenced by disease status at transplant (HR 0.37 for patients in partial (PR) or CR, p=0.003). Median event-free (EFS) and overall survivals (OS) were 11 (95% Cl: 8–15) and 35 months (95% Cl: 21–42) respectively. OS was significantly better in patients in remission (HR 0.44, p=0.004) and a trend for better OS was also observed in patients with CI<3 (HR 0.73, p=n.s.). By multivariate analysis, disease remission at transplant was associated with better OS and EFS (HR 0.39, p=0.001 and HR 0.41, p<0.001 respectively) and there was a trend for worse EFS in patients with CI≥3 (HR 1.88, p=0.08). Age, number of prior therapies and time between diagnosis and AT did not affect OS and EFS. In summary, though retrospective, this report confirms that disease-status and comorbidity scores predict transplant outcome. The use of AT specific comorbidity scores in prospective studies is imperative to select patients who most benefit from this procedure.

The development of nonmyeloablative conditionings has recently reduced the transplant-related mortality (TRM) and extended the eligible age for transplantation up to 65–70 years. From January 2000 to June 2005, 106 newly diagnosed patients younger than 65 years were enrolled in a prospective phase II study at 15 Italian Centers. Fifty-eight were also previously described in a comparison of autografting with allografting based on a genetic randomisation (Bruno et al. N Engl J Med2007). Here we report on a larger GITMO experience with a longer follow-up. Induction chemotherapy consisted of VAD-based regimens, followed by a cytoreductive autograft with melphalan 200 mg/m2, and by a non-myeloablative 2 Gy TBI-based allograft from an HLA-identical sibling. Graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis included cyclosporin and mycophenolate mofetil. Primary endpoints were overall (OS) and event-free (EFS) survivals. Secondary endpoint was TRM. One-hundred-two (96%) patients, median age 54 (30–65), completed the tandem program whereas 4 withdrew their consent. After a median follow-up of 54 (21–94) months, OS was not reached and median EFS was 35 (31–56) months post-transplant. Incidences of acute grade II-IV GHVD and extensive chronic GVHD were 40% and 50% respectively. Fourteen (13%) patients died from TRM, 14 (13%) from disease progression, 2 from lung cancer (2%) and 1 from lymphoma (1%). Overall response, defined as complete (CR) and partial remission, was 91% (93/102), with 53 patients achieving CR. Overall 39/102 patients relapsed, however only 8/53 of those who reached CR post-transplant. By multivariate-analysis disease response prior to allografting was significantly associated with longer OS (HR 0.27, CI 0.09–0.80, p<0.018) and longer EFS (HR 0.23, CI 0.11–0.49, p<0.001). Interestingly, chronic GVHD was not correlated with either the achievement of post-transplant CR (HR 0.87, CI 0.45–1.65, p<0.66) or its duration (HR 0.79, CI 0.45–1.40, p<0.42). Presence of del(13) was evaluated only in a subset of 39 patients: 13 carried del(13) and 26 did not. OS was not reached in the patients without del(13) and was 52 months in patients with del(13) (p=0.32), however EFS was not reached in the patients without del(13) whereas was 27 months for patients with del(13) (p=0.04). Given the encouraging results, the design of prospective studies that incorporate new drugs to cytoreduce the disease pre-transplant and enhance graft-vs.-myeloma are warranted to lower relapse rates and improve clinical outcomes.

Allogeneic approaches employing low dose TBI nonmyeloablative conditionings reported a dramatic reduction of transplant-related mortality (TRM) compared to conventional high dose regimens in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) (Maloney et al, Blood, 2003). The role of allografting, however, compared to autologous HCT remains to be determined. From September 1999 to July 2004, 241 consecutive MM patients, up to the age of 65, were diagnosed at five academic Italian Institutions. Overall, 194/241 had natural siblings (Table 1): 158/194 (81%) were HLA typed, while 36/194 (19%) were not typed for the following reasons: patients not eligible for high dose chemotherapy (n. 14); siblings not eligible for peripheral hematopoietic cell (PHC) donation (n.11); patient refusal to high dose chemotherapy (n. 9), unknown (n.2). Seventy-six/158 (48%) with a matched donor were offered a tandem autologous- nonmyeloablative allogeneic HCT approach. Eventually, 56/76 (73%), the “auto-allo group”, were enrolled while 20 did not enter the tandem program as 5 siblings (5/76, 7%) were not eligible for PHC donation, 5 patients refused an allogeneic HCT, and 10 patients preferred allografting as a possible salvage treatment. Of 102 patients without matched donors or after refusal to allografting, 73, “double-auto group”, underwent a standard double autologous transplant while 29 received less intense treatments because of clinical conditions or patient preference. Table 1 Newly diagnosed pts 241 With sibs/without sibs 194 /47 (total 241) HLA typed /not HLA typed 158 /36 (total 194) Matched sibs /No matched sibs 76 /82 (total 158) Auto-Allo”/“Double Auto”/Other”“ 56 /73 /29 (total 158) After induction chemotherapy, patients of both groups underwent G-CSF mobilised autografting with high dose melphalan (200 mg/m2). In the “auto-allo” group, the autologous HCT was followed, 2-4 months later, by low dose (2.0 Gy) TBI, allogeneic PHC infusion, and post transplant mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporin. In the “double-auto group”, patients received a second autologous HCT. Patients characteristics were as follows: age: 54 (range 34–65) vs 53 (range 33–64) (p=ns); stage III myeloma: 77% vs 64% (p=0.03); beta 2 microglobulin > 2,5 mg/dl: 75% vs 59% (p=0.005), for the “auto-allo group” and for “the double-auto group”, respectively. At the time of this analysis, 56/56 of the “auto-allo group” and 55/73 of “the double-auto group” had completed the transplant programs. After median follow up of 3 years (range 11–80 months), TRM was 11% vs 4% (p=0.09); complete remission rates, defined as the disappearance of the monoclonal paraprotein by immunofixation, were 46% vs 16% (p=0.0001); overall survivals were 84% versus 62% (p=0.003); progression free survivals were 75% vs 41% (p=0.00008); event free survivals were 61% (34/56)% vs 38% (30/73) (p=0.006) in the “auto-allo group” and in the “double-auto” group, respectively. Longer follow up is needed, however data suggest that the “auto- non myeloablative allo” approach is not inferior to “double autologous” HCT in newly diagnosed MM.

Allogeneic approaches employing low dose TBI nonmyeloablative conditionings reported a dramatic reduction of transplant-related mortality (TRM) compared to conventional high dose regimens in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) (Maloney et al, Blood, 2003). The role of allografting, however, compared to autologous HCT remains to be determined. From September 1999 to July 2004, 241 consecutive MM patients, up to the age of 65, were diagnosed at five academic Italian Institutions. Overall, 194/241 had natural siblings (Table 1): 158/194 (81%) were HLA typed, while 36/194 (19%) were not typed for the following reasons: patients not eligible for high dose chemotherapy (n. 14); siblings not eligible for peripheral hematopoietic cell (PHC) donation (n.11); patient refusal to high dose chemotherapy (n. 9), unknown (n.2). Seventy-six/158 (48%) with a matched donor were offered a tandem autologous- nonmyeloablative allogeneic HCT approach. Eventually, 56/76 (73%), the “auto-allo group”, were enrolled while 20 did not enter the tandem program as 5 siblings (5/76, 7%) were not eligible for PHC donation, 5 patients refused an allogeneic HCT, and 10 patients preferred allografting as a possible salvage treatment. Of 102 patients without matched donors or after refusal to allografting, 73, “double-auto group”, underwent a standard double autologous transplant while 29 received less intense treatments because of clinical conditions or patient preference.