Gastineau, Dennis A.

Abstract Abstract 636 Cellular vaccine may offer additional benefit as consolidative therapy after autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) for multiple myeloma (MM). We have reported previously from two phase II studies the survival of MM patients who received APC8020 (autologous antigen presenting cell vaccine) after ASCT (Lacy, AJH '09, (84): 799; Lin, ASH annual meeting 2010, abstract 1958). To determine if there was an outcome advantage for additional consolidative vaccine therapy after ASCT, we performed this matched case control analysis comparing the survival of patients who received ASCT only (control) at Mayo Clinic to those who received APC8020 after ASCT in the same time period. Forty-three study patients accrued between July 1998 and March 2002 were eligible for matching. To reduce bias from disease risks and transplant-related mortality, control patients were required to be alive and progression free six months after transplant and have a M-spike value of < 2g/dL at 4 mos (1st study) or 9 mos (2nd study) after transplant, similar to post-ASCT patients who were enrolled in the two APC8020 studies. A total of 111 control patients were eligible for matching. Control patients were matched to study patients by age (+/− 5 yrs), ISS (International Staging System) stage, and plasma cell labeling index (PLCI, either >= 3 or < 3). A matched control was not identified for one study patient. Of the remaining 42 study patients, all had at least one matched control patient. Thirty-two patients had 2 matched controls. Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in time to progression between the study and control patients (HR 1.54, 95% CI 0.92 – 2.58, p = 0.1). However the overall survival is significantly improved among the study patients (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30 – 0.99, p = 0.05). This analysis is the only known report of long-term follow-up of the largest group of MM patients treated with APC8020 vaccine. While many current prognostic tests were not available at the time of the initial vaccine studies, the control patients in this analysis were matched by known disease risks that are still in use today. The survival advantage in study patients remained statistically significant compared to matched controls. Interestingly, the time to progression is unchanged between study and control patients. This is similar to other reports of vaccine therapy such as in sipuleucel-T (Provenge™) in prostate cancer where an overall survival benefit is seen without change in progression-free survival. A larger, randomized phase III study is needed to confirm the encouraging survival benefit of this treatment modality in MM. Further insight into the mechanisms of action of APC8020 is needed to improve our understanding of the role of this therapy in the context of current practice of MM maintenance therapies. Disclosures: Sims: Dendreon Corporation: Employment.

Background: Therapy-related MDS/AML (t-MDS/AML) is a common and devastating complication of treatment with alkylating agents and topoisomerase II inhibitors, often employed with curative intent, in standard or high-doses, in the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Allogeneic HSC transplant is considered the standard treatment for t-MDS/AML but its applicability is limited by the unavailability of donors, comorbidities in the recipient and risk of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease. Patients carrying diseases commonly treated with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous HSC transplant (such as multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma) who latter develop t-MDS/AML occasionally have stored HSC harvested prior to the diagnosis of the secondary malignancy (hereafter called early-stored HSC). The benefit of using early-stored HSC to support myeloablative therapy for the treatment t-MDS/AML is unknown. Methods: Retrospective, single center analysis of patients with t-MDS/AML receiving myeloablative chemotherapy with or without irradiation supported with early-stored HSC. Results: Six patients received early-stored HSC transplant for treatment of t-MDS/AML between 2000 and 2007. Median age at the time of the transplant was 57 years (range 15–71). Three patients had been primarily diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, 2 with multiple myeloma and 1 with Ewing’s sarcoma. One patient had received prior autologous HSC transplantation. Two patients developed AML, 1 patient CMML, 1 patient RCMD, 1 patient RAEB1 and 1 patient RAEB2. Median time from diagnosis of primary malignancy to HSC harvesting was 26 (2–122) months and from harvesting to development of t-MDS/AML 44 (7–79) months. Conditioning regimen was Cy/TBI in three patients, BuCy in 2 patients and Samarium + Melphalan in one patient. Five patients engrafted neutrophils and 4 patients engrafted platelets 10–34 and 13–126 days after transplant respectively. In 3/6 patients there was disappearance of the pre-transplant chromosomic abnormality (2 patients -7 and 1 patient -7 and t(1;7)). Two patients obtained hematologic CR and two patients obtained CR without full recovery of platelets. One patient died of sepsis 230 days after transplant, one died with refractory disease on day 103 after transplant and one patient is alive with recurrence of t-MDS. Three patients are alive and free of disease 7, 73 and 87 months after transplant. Conclusion: Myeloablative conditioning followed by autologous, early-stored HSC transplant can provide prolonged survival to patients with tMDS/AML not suitable to allogeneic SCT.

Abstract Abstract 2992 Background: Patients with myeloma receiving initial therapy with lenalidomide-based regimens can have difficulty collecting adequate stem cells for an autologous transplant. Stem cell collection in these patients can be significantly enhanced by addition of the CXCR-4 antagonist plerixafor to the mobilization regimen. Plerixafor is typically given subcutaneously (SQ), with collection approximately 11 hours after injection to obtain maximum yield. Intravenous administration can potentially allow more rapid and predictable mobilization compared to the SQ route. We designed this trial to prospectively assess the efficacy of intravenous plerixafor administration in patients undergoing lenalidomide therapy. Patients and methods: Patients who were receiving initial therapy with a lenalidomide-based regimen and were undergoing stem cell collection within 12 months of their myeloma diagnosis were enrolled. Patients received GCSF at 10 μg/kg/day for 4 days followed by addition of plerixafor at 0.24 mg/kg/dose starting on day 5. Plerixafor was administered intravenously early morning (6–7 am) followed by apheresis beginning 4–5 hours later. Plerixafor was administered for a maximum of 4 days; but patients could continue apheresis beyond the 4th day at treating physician discretion. The aims of the study were to determine the proportion of patients reaching a stem cell yield of at least 3 million CD34 cells/kg by second day of apheresis, the safety and tolerability of intravenously administered plerixafor, and the overall rate of failure to mobilize (defined as less than 2.5 million CD34 cells/kg in 4 collections). Results: Thirty-seven patients were accrued between December 2009 – April 2011, and 36 were eligible for analysis. The median age was 61 years (range; 28–73); 61% were male. The median time from start of initial therapy to enrollment was 4.6 months (range; 2.6 to 11.1) and the median cycles of lenalidomide were 4 (range; 3–11). Thirty-four (94%) of the patients achieved at least 3 million CD34 cells/kg within 2 days of apheresis. The median CD34 cells/kg after 1 day of collection was 3.9 million (range; 0.7 to 9.2) and after two days of collection was 7.02 million (range: 1.1–16.5). Two patients failed the mobilization (<2.5 million CD34 cells/kg). There were no grade 3 or 4 non-hematological adverse events and one patient experienced grade 4 thrombocytopenia. The most common grade 1 or 2 adverse events seen were gastrointestinal, namely nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain or bloating. Grade 1 dizziness was reported in 8 patients. Overall, the infusion was well tolerated. Conclusion: Intravenously administered plerixafor is an effective strategy for mobilization in this patient group with low rate of failure to mobilize. It is well tolerated with toxicity comparable to the SQ administration. It also offers flexibility in patient scheduling with a convenient schedule for early morning infusion followed by apheresis later in the day. Disclosures: Kumar: Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding; Genzyme: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Off Label Use: Use of the investigational agent MLN9708 for the treatment of previously untreated multiple myeloma. Lacy:Celgene: Research Funding.

Abstract Abstract 4518 Introduction: Autologous stem cell transplant (PBSCT) is an integral part of the management of Multiple Myeloma (MM). Available data suggest that the timing of PBSCT has no effect on overall outcome. Some patients currently opt to delay their transplant, especially in this era of proteosome inhibitors and iMIDs. In such patients the best time for stem cell collection is unknown. We conducted a retrospective study looking at early stem collection and storage compared to stem cell collection at the time of transplant in patients who opt to be transplanted at a later date. Method: All patients who had PBSCT performed more than one year from the time of diagnosis were reviewed. Two groups of interest were then evaluated. Early collection (ET): those who had stem cells collected within 6 months of diagnosis, and Late collection (LT): those who had stem cells collected more than 1 year from diagnosis and within 3 months of PBSCT. Results: Table 1 shows some patient characteristics. 334 patients were identified, ET (85) and LT (249). Gender distribution, Durie Salmon stage, immunoglobulin subtype and cytogenetic abnormalities were similar in both groups. The LT group was older 60 yrs compared to ET 56.6 yrs, P=0.02. More patients in the ET (77%) group were mobilized with cyclophosphamide compared to LT (51%) p<0.0001. Stem cell yield was similar in both groups 9.26 × 10(6) CD34/kg in ET and 8.19 × 10(6) in LT, P=0.16. Median number of collections was 3 in both. More patients in the LT (67%) received Melphalan 200 mg/m2 conditioning compared to ET (59%) p=0.03. Neutrophil engraftment occurred at day + 11 ET and +12 (LT) p<0.0001. ET patients achieved platelet engraftment on day + 13 compared to + 15 (LT) p=0.002. Complete response rates were similar 30% (ET) and 34% (LT). Duration of response after PBSCT was not different 12.6 months (ET) and 11.6 months (LT). Median overall survival from diagnosis was 70.5 months (ET) and 74.5 months (LT) p=0.5. Similarly there was no difference in overall survival post PBSCT 33.5 month (ET) and 32.2 months (LT). Conclusion: Stem cell collection and storage early in the disease course of multiple myeloma results in early engraftment compared to stem cell collection at the time of transplant in patients who opt for a delayed transplant. More studies looking at cost analysis will however be need to determine the cost effectiveness of early versus late stem cell collection. Disclosures: Dispenzieri: Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Binding Site: Honoraria. Kumar:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Genzyme: Consultancy, Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding. Gertz:Celgene: Honoraria; Millennium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Abstract Abstract 2253 Background: Lenalidomide based combinations are among the most common initial therapies for myeloma. Previous studies have suggested that lenalidomide therapy can result in suboptimal stem cell collection in patients eligible to undergo autologous stem cell transplantation, especially older patients after prolonged exposure to the drug. Many salvage approaches are used when attempting repeat stem cell collection in this patient group. Patients and Methods: Two hundred twenty four patients who underwent stem cell collection following lenalidomide-dexamethasone induction from July 2004 and December 2009 were included in the current analysis. Data pertaining to the duration of lenalidomide therapy, stem cell mobilization regimen, and the collection yields were collected from the medical records. Results: The median age at mobilization was 60.6 years (range; 29, 76) and 136 (60%) were male. There were a total of 245 collection attempts from among 224 patients, 21 (9.8%) patients attempting to remobilize after failing to collect the desired numbers of stem cells at the first attempt. We first analyzed the results of the initial collection attempt. The median duration of lenalidomide therapy prior to stem cell collection was 4 months (range; 1, 26). The mobilization strategies were GCSF (Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor) alone in 151 (67%) patients, cyclophosphamide (CTX) followed by GCSF in 29 (13%) patients, and GCSF plus AMD3100 in 44 (20%) patients. Among those receiving AMD3100, it was added either due to peripheral blood CD34 cell count not reaching the threshold for initiation of harvest or for poor first day CD34 cells collection in 34 patients and given in a planned fashion in 10 patients. Overall 15 patients (7%) failed to reach the peripheral CD34 cell counts required to initiate apheresis, and among those starting apheresis 6 patients failed to collect at least 2 million CD34 cells/kg; a cumulative failure rate of 9%. Another 18 (8%) patients failed to collect at least 4 million CD34 cells /kg. The CD34 cells yield on day 1, the total yield, number of collections, the average daily yield and the percentage of the targeted cells collected for each mobilization strategy including failure rates are detailed in the table. Twenty-one patients reattempted stem cell mobilization; including 14 that failed a first attempt and 7 did who not achieve the intended goal even though they collected more than 2 million CD34 cells/kg. The mobilization regimens were GCSF alone, CTX + GCSF, GCSF + GM-CSF (Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor) and GCSF + AMD in 5, 8, 3, and 4 patients respectively. All patients collected at least 2 million CD34 cells /kg and 14 patients (70%) collected more than 4 million CD34 cells /kg. The median CD34 cells collected with the second attempt was 5.4 million/kg (rang; 2, 19.5) bringing the median total collection for these 21 patients to 9.6 million/kg (2.6-19.6). Overall, of the 224 patients studied, all but the 6 patients who failed initially and did not attempt a second collection collected at least 2 million CD34 cells /kg and 197 (88%) collected at least 4 million CD34 cells/kg. Conclusion: While the overall failure rate of stem cell collection in patients receiving initial therapy with lenalidomide is 10%, a risk adapted approach of adding AMD3100 appear to decrease the risk of failure. However, majority of patients failing a stem cell harvest attempt can be salvaged with a second collection allowing these patients to proceed to a stem cell transplant if desired. Disclosures: Gertz: Celgene: Honoraria; Millenium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genzyme: Research Funding. Lacy: Celgene: Research Funding. Dispenzieri: Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Binding Site: Honoraria. Micallef: Genzyme: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kumar: Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Genzyme: Consultancy, Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding.

Abstract Abstract 3231 Poster Board III-168 Background Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) are the preferred graft type for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and mobilization is typically done using growth factor (GF) alone or a combination of chemotherapy (CTX) and GF. The success of mobilization is influenced by several factors such as prior therapy and mobilization strategy. Patients (Pts) failing to mobilize successfully often have GF dose increased and if unsuccessful, mobilization reattempted with chemotherapy + GF or G-CSF (Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor) + GM-CSF (Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor). More recently, plerixafor, a CXCR4 inhibitor, has been found to enhance G-CSF based collection allowing potential early intervention in poor mobilizers. However, this approach requires valid cut-points for peripheral CD34 counts (pCD34) for cost efficient use. Methods We studied 910 first time, G-CSF based PBSC mobilizers with MM (565; 62%), or light chain amyloidosis (345; 38%). Salvage attempts were excluded, as were first attempts using CTX+GCSF, plerixafor or GF combinations. Sensitivity-specificity analysis (ROC) was used to define ideal cut-points for predefined outcomes. We used a CD34 yield of 2 million/kg as the minimum required collection and 4 million/kg as the ideal collection for this analysis. Our current practice is to initiate collection at a pCD34 of 10/uL. Results We first determined the best day 1 pCD34 cutoff for being able to collect at least 2 million/kg PBSC to be 9.2/uL. Among those with ≥9.2/uL, only 1.6% failed to collect at least 2 million compared to 27% among the rest (P < 0.001). These numbers were 1.7% and 25% respectively using the traditional cutoff of 10/uL. We then examined how the pCD34 on day 2 predicted collection, among those failing to reach the current threshold of 10/uL. Among this group, a pCD34 on day 2 of 8/uL was the best cutoff to predict a collection of 2 million/kg. Among those with >8/uL, only 9% failed to collect at least 2 million compared to 48% among the rest (P < 0.001). Among those with day 1 pCD34 < 10, 65% achieved a count of 8/uL on day 2. We then examined what pCD34 on day 1 can best predict a pCD34 ≥ 8 on day 2 and found this to be 5/uL. Among those with day 1 pCD34 ≥ 5/uL, 92% reached day 2 pCD34 ≥ 8 compared to 36% among the rest (P < 0.001).We then determined cutoffs based on ideal targets using only those patients achieving pCD34 count > 10/uL by day 2, since these patients would have started collection without any change in the mobilization technique. We used a maximum of 5 collections to achieve the goal as being ideal, taking into account the most commonly used practice of collecting during weekdays. We examined cutoffs both for a target of 4, 8 and 12 million/kg for one, two or three transplants respectively. Among those with a day 1 or day 2 pCD34 > 10/uL 98% collected 4 million/kg in 5 collections. The best day 1 or day 2 pCD34 predicting a 8 million/kg yield in 5 collections was 21.4/uL and a 12 million/kg yield was 27.9/uL. Among those with day 1or 2 pCD34 ≥ 21.4/uL, 90% collected 8 million compared to 54% among those with pCD34 < 21.4/uL. Similarly, among those with day 1 or 2 pCD34 ≥ 27.9/uL, 79% reached 12 million in ≤ 5 days compared to 17% among those with pCD34 < 27.9/uL (P < 0.001).Finally we examined if poor collection on first day, despite a pCD34 > 10 predicts for poor overall yield. A ratio of day 1 collection (million/kg) to pCD34 day 1 or 2 < 5×104 was highly predictive of failure to get eventual yield of 2 million/kg, with 38% below the cutoff failing to reach the goal compared to 2% for those above the cutoff. Conclusions This study provides an estimate of optimal pCD34 count thresholds for early identification of patients at high risk of collection failure. It is reasonable to use the first or second day pCD34 count, since a substantial proportion of patients will achieve the threshold value by day 2 and have similar outcome as those reaching the threshold by day 1. Based on the results here, interventions such as plerixafor can be considered if pCD34 count is < 5/uL on day 1 or < 9/uL by day 2, to achieve the minimum collection of 2 million/kg. However, in order to achieve the ideal targets, a higher threshold should be considered and the recommendation would be 17/uL, and 28/uL for target of 8 or 12 million respectively. Finally, identification of poor mobilizers after start of collection potentially provides another time point for early intervention, and this needs to be prospectively studied. Disclosures Micallef: Genzyme: Research Funding. Gertz:Genzyme: Research Funding. Kumar:Celgene,Genzyme,Millenium,Novartis,Bayer,: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Abstract Background: High dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (HDT-ASCT) has prolonged survival in patients with multiple myeloma. Patients who achieve a complete response (CR) benefit the most from this form of therapy. Thus, achieving a CR is an important goal of therapy and it will be beneficial if the probability of achieving CR can be determined for any patient before transplant. Patients and Methods: A large cohort of patients with myeloma who received HDT-ASCT at Mayo Clinic Rochester was studied. The impact of various demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics relating to the patients and their disease acquired were studied for their impact on response to HDT-ASCT, especially CR. Patients with a serum M-protein <0.1g/dL were excluded. Response definitions were as defined by established criteria. Survival analysis was performed according to the Kaplan-Meier method while univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with the proportional hazards method. We utilized knowledge of the rate of M-protein production by myeloma cells together with the clearance of the protein to estimate the pre-transplant disease burden. Results: We studied 224 patients with a median age of 56.5 years (32.6 – 71). Patients were transplanted a median of 8.7 months after diagnosis. Almost all patients had a response to HDT-ASCT and 78 (35%) achieved a CR. Those patients who achieved a CR had a longer time to progression (TTP) compared to those who did not achieve CR (Figure 1). The cohort was thus divided into two groups: patients who achieved CR and those that did not. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the two groups were compared. Among the pre-transplant parameters tested, only the size of the serum M-spike was a predictor for CR (p<0.0001). A simple function that describes the probability of achieving CR based on the serum M-spike before HDT-ASCT is described. The estimated rate of tumor re-growth after HDT-ASCT in patients who obtain a CR and in patients who only get a partial response are presented. Conclusions: The pre-transplant disease burden in myeloma is the main determinant of response to HDT-ASCT. The individual probability of achieving CR can be estimated from simple clinical parameters providing a quantitative risk assessment prior to such a high-risk procedure. There is significant expansion of myeloma cells after HDT-ASCT. The design of clinical trials may benefit from knowledge of the kinetic aspects of the disease. Figure Figure

Abstract Background: Autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) improves survival in patients (pts) with multiple myeloma (MM). We have previously demonstrated that the degree of response at transplant does not impact on the outcome of transplant. However, newer induction regimens such as thalidomide and dexamethasone (Thal-Dex) result in higher response rates compared to previously used regimens such as single agent dexamethasone or vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (VAD). We examined the outcome of SCT following three different induction therapies for newly diagnosed MM, namely VAD, single agent Dex, and Thal-Dex. Patients and Methods: 340 patients with MM who received their SCT within 12 mos of diagnosis (median 5.8, range 3–12) were studied. Patients receiving more than one induction therapy as well as those in whom thalidomide was added to dexamethasone for lack of response were excluded from the analysis. There were 105 pts in the VAD group, 140 in the Dex group and 95 in the Thal-Dex group. Responses were defined using standard criteria. Results: The study cohort consisted of 209 males (59%), with a median age of 57 years (range 30–76) at transplant. Baseline characteristics were similar in the 3 groups, except for lower age in the VAD group (median 55.8) compared to Dex (59.6) and Thal Dex (57.4) and shorter time to transplant in the Dex group (5.4 m) compared to VAD (6.4) and Thal Dex (5.9). Markers of disease activity pre-transplant, including B2M and marrow plasma cell percentage were higher in the Dex group compared to either VAD or Thal Dex. The proportion of patients with any response to induction therapy was lower in the Dex group compared to the other two. All pts in the Dex and the Thal-Dex groups received melphalan only conditioning compared to 70% in the VAD group, the rest receiving Melphalan/TBI. An objective response was achieved after SCT in 96%, 97%, and 98% of pts in the VAD, Dex and Thal-Dex groups respectively (P=0.8). A complete response to SCT was seen in 49% of patients in VAD group, 45% among those in the Dex group and 38% among those in the Thal Dex group (P=0.38). There was no difference in the median progression free survival after transplant (P=0.21) or overall survival from diagnosis (P=.34) between the three groups. The proportion free from progression at 2 years post transplant was 54%, 55% and 46% for Dex, VAD and Thal-Dex respectively. The proportion surviving at 4 years from diagnosis was 64%, 65.4% and 72% respectively for the three groups. Conclusion: We did not observe any difference in the response rates including complete responses to SCT in the three groups with nearly all pts in each group achieving a response. The progression free survival and overall survival appear to be comparable between the three groups. The results from initial therapy cannot be compared between the three regimens since the study population is restricted to patients reaching stem cell transplant. Within the limits of the study, there does not appear to be any long term impact of the initial therapy for the patients going onto an early stem cell transplant. Figure Figure

Abstract Background: Renal insufficiency of varying severity including end stage renal disease requiring dialysis is often a presenting manifestation of multiple myeloma (MM). While many patients (pts) improve following initiation of therapy for MM, a considerable number of pts proceed to stem cell transplant with less than optimal renal function. It is not clear whether the outcome of their transplants differs from pts with normal renal function. Methods: The MM transplant database was searched to identify pts with a Creatinine clearance (Crcl) of less than 50 ml/min/m2 (study cohort). These pts were then matched to two pts each with a clearance of ≥ 50 ml/min/m2 (control cohort), based on cytogenetic abnormalities (normal vs. abnormal), circulating plasma cells (yes vs. no), age at transplant, % of plasma cells at transplant, plasma cell labeling index, time to transplant from diagnosis and the disease status at transplant, the factors used in that order of importance. Results: Eighty pts with a Crcl < 50 ml/min were identified and matched to 160 pts with Crcl ≥ 50 ml/min. The pts were matched for the above factors and the two groups were similar in terms of their other baseline features except CRP and B2M, both of which were lower in the control group. Pts with reduced renal function were more likely to receive dose reduced melphalan for conditioning (32.5%) compared to the control group (2%; P < 0.0001). The outcomes from the stem cell transplant were similar in both the groups. 96% of pts obtained an objective response to stem cell transplant in each of the groups with no difference in the time to response; and a complete response was seen in 38.5% and 36.6% of the study and control cohorts respectively (P=NS). The median post transplant progression free survival was 18.2 months and 18.4 mos respectively for the study cohort and the control group (P=0.4). However, the median overall survival from transplant was shorter for the study cohort (30.7 mos vs. 60 mos for the controls; P = 0.007; Figure). The time to platelet and neutrophil engraftment was not different between the groups. In terms of transplant related toxicity, the median days hospitalized was higher in the study group (5 days vs. 9.5 days; P=0.003) as was the incidence of grade 3 and 4 mucositis (8% vs. 23%; P= 0.0008). Six pts (7.5%) had treatment related deaths in the study group compared to 3 pts (2%) among the controls (P=0.03), the majority of the deaths being infection related. Conclusion: Here we demonstrate that pts with MM and reduced renal function derive disease free survival comparable to those with normal renal function, despite the increased use of reduced dose Melphalan for conditioning. The toxicity is clearly increased in the presence of abnormal renal function. Interestingly, the overall survival was inferior among the pts with reduced renal function. One possible explanation for this observation is the decreased availability of novel therapies for salvage among pts with reduced renal function as many of them would not be eligible for clinical trials due to reduced renal function. Figure Figure