Overcoming Barriers to Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma: Recommendations from a Multidisciplinary Roundtable Discussion

• Published in: Transplantation and cellular therapy 2023-11, Vol.29 (11), p.666-673
• Main Authors: Bashir, Qaiser, Braunstein, Marc, Buck, Tondre, Chmielewski, Cynthia, Hartmann, Brittany, Janakiram, Murali, McMahon, Marisa A., Romundstad, Laura, Steele, Lynn, Usmani, Saad Z., Zwibel, Kimberly, Kharfan-Dabaja, Mohamed A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autologous transplantation; Barriers to treatment; Clinical decision making; Multiple myeloma
• ISSN: 2666-6367; 2666-6367
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2023.08.028

•Only 20% to 50% of patients with multiple myeloma undergo autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT).•Barriers to ASCT are informational, financial, logistic, and cultural.•Increased availability of ASCT-related information may help overcome these barriers.•ASCT-related information must be accessible to patients and primary oncologists.•Establishment of an office is recommended to educate patients and connect providers. Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a standard of care treatment for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, only 20% to 30% of patients with MM for whom the procedure is indicated undergo ASCT. Barriers to ASCT may be informational, financial, logistic, or cultural and may affect patients and treating oncologists. Available and accessible accurate ASCT-related information is essential to overcome these barriers. Such resources can be created by blood and marrow transplantation societies and patient advocacy groups, ideally in collaboration with MM specialists at transplant centers. An umbrella office at the society level is also recommended to connect oncologists, advocacy groups, and transplantation specialists; provide informational resources to patients; and conduct research into region- and population-specific barriers to ASCT.