Summary: Autologous stem cell transplants are a treatment option primarily for patients with multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. High-dose chemotherapy is part of the treatment and can destroy cancer cells as well as healthy blood cells. Although side effects do occur after an autologous stem cell transplant, most patients can expect a return to normal, healthy life after transplant.
Presenter: Alfred Garfall MD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
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Highlights:
More autologous stem cell transplants (transplants that use the patient’s own stem cells) are performed each year than allogeneic stem cell transplants (transplants that use stem cells from a donor).
For patients who have multiple myeloma, an autologous transplant is not expected to cure them of their disease but can extend the period of time before additional therapy is needed.
For patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the goal of an autologous transplant is to cure them of their disease, but relapse may occur in some patients.
April 2023, Part of the Virtual Celebrating a Second Chance at Life Survivorship Symposium
Presentation is 42 minutes; Question & Answer segment is 15 minutes
Key Points:
(06:32): In an autologous transplant, the chemotherapy given to patients before the transplant is really the main therapy, not the transplant itself. The purpose of the stem cell transplant is to help the bone marrow recover from the effects of the high dose chemotherapy.
(09:38): After completion of the high-dose chemotherapy, stem cells are infused a few days later, and find their way to the bone marrow where they start to grow and produce healthy blood cells.
(11:24): Patients typically spend a few weeks in the hospital after the stem cells are re-infused, while the blood counts recover.
(14:50): There are fewer transplant-related complications in an autologous transplant, compared to an allogeneic transplant, but especially with multiple myeloma, the disease is more likely to come back.
(15:33): In the early phase after an autologous transplant, side effects may include gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, dehydration, slow recovery of blood counts, infections and very rarely, autologous graft-versus-host disease.
(18:27): There are potential late effects after an autologous transplant, but the vast majority of patients are expected to return to their prior quality of life after an autologous stem cell transplant.
(22:26): Problems reported by patients five years after an autologous transplant include sexual dysfunction, shingles, cataracts, osteoporosis or osteopenia, needing a joint replacement, and skin cancer, some of which may be driven by the patient’s age.
(23:12): Problems affecting the lungs and heart can occur after an autologous stem cell transplant.
(28:55): A patient’s immune system recovers over a period of years after an autologous stem cell transplant. After a patient’s blood counts have recovered, steps are taken to help prevent infection long-term. Vaccination is an important part of that process.
(40:12): A recent study showed a link between a healthy diet and control of multiple myeloma after an autologous stem cell transplant.
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