ABSTRACT
Multiple myeloma is characterized by long clinical course and drug resistance. Conventional chemotherapy results in modest survival benefit. High dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation results in markedly increased response rate and survival, confirmed by a randomized study. But there are any evidences yet this approach confers cure. To decrease relapse rate, several approaches are ongoing. Among them, purified CD34+ selected transplantation is an attractive approach because of reduced contamination of myeloma cells. Recently we have experienced CD34+ selected autologous transplantation in a multiple myeloma patient. After VAD induction chemotherapy, high dose melphalan (200mg/m2) with CD34+ selected autotransplantation was followed. Immunoadsorption using CeprateSC resulted in 81% purity and 42% yield. Infused CD34+ cell number was 3.1x106/kg. Absolute granulocytopenic and thrombocytopenic period was less than a week. Grade lll or more extramedullary toxicities were not observed. After high dose therapy, complete remission by immunofixation was achieved. We have experienced a case of CD34+ selected transplantation in multiple myeloma and found that it was safe in terms of short term engraftment.