Multiple myeloma and autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation without cryopreservation: experiences of the Clinical Hematology Department of Casablanca, Morocco

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is the gold standard treatment for multiple myeloma in subjects aged <= 65 years. In developing countries, AHSCT without cryopreservation reduces the costs of hospitalization and all necessary equipments. We conducted a longitudinal, prospective, open study to evaluate this procedure at the Department of Clinical Hematology, Casablanca, Morocco. Data from the medical records of 64 patients were collected over a period of 24 months. After induction therapy, the overall response (complete remission + very good partial response) was 67.2% (43 patients). The mean CD34-cell count in the autograft was 12.97*10(6) /kg [2.4- 53*10(6) Cd34+/kg] and the median length of hospitalization was 20.5 days [14-60 days]. The overall response after autograf was 84% (54 patients). At 24 months follow-up, overall survival (OS) was 83.5%, median DS was not reached and progression free survival (PFS) was 65.9%, with a median PFS of 24.1 months with 95% confidence interval [21.7-26.5 months]. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation without cryopreservation is an excellent alternative in our context reducing wait times and freezing costs.