multiple myeloma research news
June 11, 2009
Controversial paper criticizing tandem transplants for myeloma patients found to be based on false data
In January 2009, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published a research paper that concluded that treatment with tandem (double) autologous stem cell transplants does not improve the survival of multiple myeloma patients. To make their point, the authors of the paper used data from a study published February 15, 2008, in the medical publication Blood, amongst other data. The data the authors used from the Blood study was the main reason for concluding that there was no benefit of tandem transplants.
Since that time, the authors of that Blood article have come forward to say that the data in their study was inappropriately collected, and they have apologized to the scientific community for their errors. The article has been retracted (click here to view retraction).
"This clearly shows that it is incorrect to say that tandem autologous stem cell transplants for multiple myeloma patients do not improve survival," says Dr. Guido Tricot, Director of the Myeloma Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute. "This claim was based on incorrect data."
"Our studies have proven that tandem autologous stem cells transplants for multiple myeloma have led to excellent survival rates. The median survival rate for patients treated with tandem autologous stem cell transplants and maintenance therapy is now 10 years or more. No other treatment method for multiple myeloma has proven to be as effective and even comes close to that data," adds Dr. Tricot.
