Why don’t you recommend allogeneic transplants for myeloma patients?
We think an allogeneic stem cell transplant—a transplant using stem cells from a donor—is far too risky. One in four people will die from complications associated with the procedure. In contrast, when patients have an autologous stem cell transplant—a transplant using their own stem cells—the complication rate is only two to five percent. Studies have shown that patients do not live longer with an allogeneic transplant. Therefore, we prefer autologous transplants because they are safer and just as effective.
