Real-World Clinical Outcomes of Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma

Recently, the comprehensive real-world evidence synthesis conducted by Normin Health, titled "Real-world clinical outcomes of autologous stem cell transplantation in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a systematic literature review," was successfully published in the SCI journal Therapeutic Advances in Hematology. The study systematically reviewed and synthesized clinical evidence to evaluate therapeutic response, long-term survival, stem cell mobilization strategies, and prognostic determinants for patients receiving autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in Chinese clinical practice.

Key Highlights of the Study:

Study Cohort & Evidence Base: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, the review systematically screened and pooled data from 88 Chinese observational studies published between 2015 and 2025, comparing ASCT against non-ASCT treatment regimens.

Major Findings:

• Superior Depth of Response: Patients undergoing ASCT achieved significantly higher deep-response rates compared to non-ASCT recipients, including a complete response (CR) rate of 78.5% (vs. 45.3%) and a very good partial response or better (≥VGPR) rate of 98.6% (vs. 75.0%).

• Durable Long-Term Survival: ASCT demonstrated substantial long-term survival advantages, achieving a 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of 70.6% (vs. 41.3% in non-ASCT) and a 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate of 41.3% (vs. 18.0% in non-ASCT).

• Mobilization and Prognostic Insights: Plerixafor combined with G-CSF demonstrated optimal stem cell mobilization efficacy. In addition, advanced R-ISS stage, IgD subtype, inadequate pre-transplant response, and early relapse were identified as critical adverse prognostic factors.

Clinical and Policy Implications:

This nationwide real-world synthesis fills a major evidence gap between clinical trial data and Chinese routine clinical practice. The findings validate the enduring clinical value of ASCT, guide personalized risk stratification, and establish a vital comparative effectiveness benchmark for emerging cellular therapies and novel hematology agents.

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