Auto;Allo;Mini Allo…..?

This topic contains 5 replies, has 4 voices, and was last updated by  ellen 11 years, 7 months ago.

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  • #101617

    sessakelly
    Participant

    I understand in principle the differences between both and the pros and cons,however I dont understand why some people are offered a mini Allogenic transplant after Autologous. Is it just down to the consultant? Or is there evidence a mini works or not ?
    Can anyone help me on this, just so I can stop mulling it over and over. Please

    Always in hope
    Vanessa

    #101618

    Vicki
    Participant

    Hi Vanessa

    Sorry I can't really help on the detail. I know that there are lots of thoughts about acts, whether even they are the best route of using I think what they call novel agents in treatment, and there are lots of them being tested. At the moment though I think the balance is erring on the side of scts being a good option. I don't know why some people are offered various transplant options, I am guessing its very much to do with individual disease and conditions within it…. Have you considered asking the mm nurse team 🙂

    Vicki and Colin x

    #101619

    ellen
    Moderator

    Dear Vanessa,
    Thank you for posting on the Discussion Forum, I am sorry that you haven?t had many replies. My name is Ellen and I am one of the Myeloma Information Specialists at Myeloma UK. I hope that the following clarifies things for you.
    An allogeneic transplant involves the use of stem cells from a donor instead of using the patient?s own stem cells (autologous transplant). Although it can be very effective in inducing a long remission, standard allogeneic transplants unfortunately are associated with substantial side-effects and an increased risk of mortality. In the past few years, doctors have developed what they call a mini-allogeneic transplant which involves the use of lower doses of chemotherapy that is much safer and associated with less severe side-effects yet is effective in treating the myeloma. A standard allogeneic transplant is now very rarely offered.

    By way of background and for other forum users who may have some questions, generally speaking, allogeneic stem cell transplants (both standard and mini) are thought to be more effective in controlling the myeloma than autologous stem cell transplants because once established, the donor cells recognise any residual myeloma cells as being foreign and can destroy and remove them. Any residual myeloma cells after an autologous transplant remain and therefore a relapse would occur at some point when the residual myeloma starts to progress again.

    Unfortunately, the donor stem cells may also recognise the healthy cells as being foreign and start attacking them ? and this is why allogeneic transplants are much riskier. The vast majority of myeloma patients have an autologous transplant because many are not eligible for an allogeneic transplant either because they do not have a donor match or because of their age (generally restricted to patients under 50-55 years).

    There is some research evidence to suggest that having two consecutive transplants (tandem transplant) may be better than one so some patients may be offered a second transplant within six months of their first autologous transplant. The second can be either another autologous transplant or if eligible, a patient may be asked to consider a mini-allogeneic transplant. The reason again for the latter is because of the potential of producing a much longer remission than a second autologous transplant. The research evidence gathered so far is very mixed and not at all clear with some studies reporting a benefit of tandem autologous-mini allogeneic transplants while others do not.

    At present, because of the lack of evidence to prove its benefits, a tandem transplant of either kind (autologous-autologous or autologous-mini allogeneic) is not part of routine practice and ultimately the decision would be down to the haematologist offering it.

    I hope this has been of some help, but please do not hesitate to get back in touch if you have further questions or would like to talk things through. I and my colleague Maggie can be contacted directly by email to askthenurse@myeloma.org.uk or on the freephone Myeloma Infoline on 0800 980 3332
    Ellen

    #101620

    sessakelly
    Participant

    Vicks and Ellen, I really appreciate your replies. So much to consider. In Stewarts case he's now got bilateral Pe's and osteonecrosis of the jaw. He's been in hospital five times now over the course of his CDT and we're both so anxious about his SCT because if there's a complication to get Stewart seems to get it!!
    He's only 45 and I just can't come to terms with him being so ill.

    It's the reason why I'm on this forum daily just searching …searching.

    Thanks again

    Vanessa

    #101621

    domg6
    Participant

    Ellen
    I am new to the site and have just had my second consult with the transplant specialist. I am looking at an auto with (should I opt for it) allo (RIC) to follow. Obviously family concerned on the risks of Allo. What are the options after Allo? Ie if not successful can you go back to auto or just medication control of your myeloma? Appreciate every case different, but do not fully understand the long term implication of early Allo should it not work. Grateful for any info.
    Dom

    #101622

    ellen
    Moderator

    Dear Domg6

    Please drop me a line to askthenurse@myeloma.org.uk or call the Freephone Myeloma Infoline on 0800 980 3332 and I, or my colleagues, will do our best to answer your questions.

    With best wishes

    Ellen

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