Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Myeloma: Cytoreduction or an Immunotherapy?

ABSTRACT: The incidence of multiple myeloma (MM), a bone marrow (BM) resident hematological malignancy, is increasing globally. The disease has substantial morbidity and mortality and remains largely incurable. Clinical studies show that autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains efficacious in eligible patients, providing a progression free survival (PFS) benefit beyond novel therapies alone. Conventionally, improved PFS after ASCT is attributed to cytoreduction from myeloablative chemotherapy. However, ASCT results in immune effects beyond cytoreduction, including inflammation, lymphodepletion, T cell priming via immunogenic cell death, and disruption of the tumor BM microenvironment. In fact, a small subset of patients achieve very long-term control of disease post-ASCT, akin to t

SUBMITTER: Minnie SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7994609 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature