A Randomized Trial to Compare Busulfan + Melphalan 140 mg/m2 With Melphalan 200 mg/m2 as Preparative Regimen for Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01413178 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : August 10, 2011
Results First Posted : April 21, 2020
Last Update Posted : April 21, 2020
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The goal of this clinical research study is to compare Busulfex (busulfan) with or without Alkeran (melphalan) to learn which study therapy may be better at helping to control MM in patients who will receive an autologous stem cell transplant. The safety of this combination therapy will also be studied.
Melphalan and busulfan are designed to damage the DNA (genetic material) of cells, which may cause cancer cells to die.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Myeloma | Drug: Busulfan Drug: Melphalan Other: Questionnaire Drug: G-CSF Drug: High Dose Melphalan Procedure: Stem cell transplant | Phase 3 |

Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 205 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | A Randomized Trial to Compare Busulfan + Melphalan 140 mg/m2 With Melphalan 200 mg/m2 as Preparative Regimen for Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma |
Actual Study Start Date : | September 30, 2011 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | March 10, 2019 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | March 10, 2019 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: Busulfan + Melphalan
Busulfan test dose (32 mg/m^2) on day -9 then 130 mg/m^2 intravenous (IV) Days -7, -6, -5, and -4 + Melphalan 70 mg/m2 IV on Days -2 and -1. Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) Day 0.
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Drug: Busulfan
Test dose (32 mg/m^2) on day -9 then 130 mg/m^2 by vein or adjusted dose on Days -7, -6, -5, and -4.
Other Names:
Drug: Melphalan 70 mg/m2 by vein over 30 minutes minutes on Days -2 and -1.
Other Name: Alkeran Other: Questionnaire Quality of Life (QOL) questionnaire before starting the study drugs and then once every 4 weeks after the stem cell transplant, taking about 15 minutes to complete.
Other Name: Survey Drug: G-CSF Approximately 5 mcg/kg/day subcutaneously beginning on Day +5.
Other Names:
Procedure: Stem cell transplant Stem cell infusion on Day 0.
Other Names:
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Experimental: Melphalan
High-dose Melphalan 200 mg/m2/day IV over 30 minutes on day -2. SCT Day 0.
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Other: Questionnaire
Quality of Life (QOL) questionnaire before starting the study drugs and then once every 4 weeks after the stem cell transplant, taking about 15 minutes to complete.
Other Name: Survey Drug: G-CSF Approximately 5 mcg/kg/day subcutaneously beginning on Day +5.
Other Names:
Drug: High Dose Melphalan 200 mg/m2 by vein over 30 minutes on Day -2.
Other Name: Alkeran Procedure: Stem cell transplant Stem cell infusion on Day 0.
Other Names:
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- Progression-Free Survival (PFS) [ Time Frame: 3 years after transplant ]Participants that are still alive and without Multiple Myeloma 3 years after Stem cell Transplantation.
- Number of Participants With Complete Response (CR) [ Time Frame: Evaluated 90 days from transplant. ]Complete response (CR), evaluated 90 days from transplant, defined as (i) negative immunofixation of the multiple myeloma (MM) protein in urine and serum, (ii) disappearance of any soft tissue plasmacytomas, and (iii) less than 5% plasma MM cells in the bone marrow. International Myeloma Working Group uniform response criteria.
- Treatment-Related Mortality (TRM) Between 2 Arms. [ Time Frame: 100 days post treatment ]
- Number of Participants That Had Grade 3-4 Toxicities. [ Time Frame: At day 90 post SCT (Stem Cell Transplantation) ]
- Overall Survival (OS) [ Time Frame: From time of ASCT to 3 years ]

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 70 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients with multiple myeloma in complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), or very good partial remission (VGPR), or symptomatic stable disease (no evidence of progression) including patients with light chain MM detected in the serum by free light chain assay.
- Patients with non-secretory multiple myeloma [absence of a monoclonal protein (M protein) in serum as measured by electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunofixation (SIFE) and the absence of Bence Jones protein in the urine (UPEP) defined by use of conventional electrophoresis and immunofixation (UIFE) techniques] but with measurable disease on imaging studies like MRI, CT scan or PET scan.
- Who have received at least two cycles of initial systemic therapy and are within 2 to 12 months of the first dose. Mobilization therapy is not considered initial therapy.
- 70 years of age or younger.
- Karnofsky performance score 70% or higher.
- Cardiac function: left ventricular ejection fraction at rest > 40% within 3 months of registration.
- Hepatic function: bilirubin < 2x the upper limit of normal and ALT and AST < 2.5x the upper limit of normal.
- Renal function: creatinine clearance of >/= 40 mL/min, estimated or calculated.
- Pulmonary function: DLCO, FEV1, FVC >/= 50% of predicted value (corrected for hemoglobin) within 3 months of registration
- Signed informed consent form.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with uncontrolled bacterial, viral or fungal infections (currently taking medication and progression of clinical symptoms).
- Patients seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Patients with history of myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to enrollment or has New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV heart failure, uncontrolled angina, severe uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmias, or electrocardiographic evidence of acute ischemia or active conduction system abnormalities.
- Patients participating in an investigational new drug protocol within 14 days before enrollment.
- Female patients who are pregnant (positive b-HCG) or breastfeeding.
- Prior stem cell transplantation allogeneic or autologous.
- Prior organ transplant requiring immunosuppressive therapy.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01413178
United States, Texas | |
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center | |
Houston, Texas, United States, 77030 |
Principal Investigator: | Muzaffar H. Qazilbash, MD | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center |
Documents provided by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center:
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
Responsible Party: | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01413178 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
2010-0071 NCI-2011-02760 ( Registry Identifier: NCI CTRP ) |
First Posted: | August 10, 2011 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | April 21, 2020 |
Last Update Posted: | April 21, 2020 |
Last Verified: | April 2020 |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | Yes |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Myeloma Multiple Myeloma Light chain Multiple Myeloma MM Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Busulfan Busulfex Myleran Melphalan |
Alkeran G-CSF Filgrastim NeupogenTM Questionnaire Survey Quality of Life QOL |
Multiple Myeloma Neoplasms, Plasma Cell Neoplasms by Histologic Type Neoplasms Hemostatic Disorders Vascular Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Paraproteinemias Blood Protein Disorders Hematologic Diseases Hemorrhagic Disorders Lymphoproliferative Disorders |
Immunoproliferative Disorders Immune System Diseases Melphalan Busulfan Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating Alkylating Agents Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action Antineoplastic Agents Myeloablative Agonists Immunosuppressive Agents Immunologic Factors Physiological Effects of Drugs |