ASC Transplant Eligibility in Multiple Myeloma: Elisabet E. Manasanch, MD

This content originally appeared on our sister site, OncLive.

OncLive spoke with Elisabet E. Manasanch, MD, associate professor, Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, about eligibility for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in patients with multiple myeloma.

Manasanch discussed how current treatments for patients with multiple myeloma generally do not come with significant, life-altering toxcities, however, ASCT with high-dose melphalan can be very detrimental. Some patients may experience a quality-of-life decline on treatment, Manasanch stated. Understandably, eligibility criteria are strict regarding transplant, so patients should be evaluated and treated at renowned transplant centers.

However, the criteria defining transplant eligibility may be arbitrary in many cases, and a majority of patients may, in fact, be fit enough to undergo ASCT, Manasanch explains. Although some patients may not be willing to undergo transplant, careful assessment and evaluation of individual patients is critical to ensure they are properly deemed eligible or ineligible for such a procedure, Manasanch concludes.