Plasma cell leukemia maintaining complete remission by syngeneic stem cell transplantation combined with low-dose thalidomide maintenance therapy

Intern Med. 2009;48(20):1833-5. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.48.2389. Epub 2009 Oct 15.

Abstract

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare variant of multiple myeloma, which is very aggressive and resistant to chemotherapy. We report a case of PCL successfully treated with syngeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation followed by low-dose thalidomide. As of March 2009, the patient has maintained CR for 39 months posttransplant. The clinical course of the present case suggests that autologous stem cell transplantation using a graft with reduced contamination of malignant cells followed by low-dose thalidomide maintenance therapy may improve the PCL treatment outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Plasma Cell / diagnosis*
  • Leukemia, Plasma Cell / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Plasma Cell / surgery
  • Male
  • Remission Induction
  • Stem Cell Transplantation* / methods
  • Thalidomide / administration & dosage*
  • Transplantation, Isogeneic / methods

Substances

  • Thalidomide