Deletion of chromosome 13q14 detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization has prognostic impact on survival after high-dose therapy in patients with multiple myeloma.

Interphase cytogenetic analysis of chromosome 13q14 was performed in 28 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) receiving high-dose therapy followed by autologous (n=24) or allogeneic (n=4) stem cell support. Eleven (39%) patients were found to have a deletion of chromosome 13q14. Response rates to high-dose therapy were independent of the chromosome 13 status, but patients with a deletion of 13q14 had a significantly shorter progression-free (p=0.001) and overall survival (p=0.012) than patients with normal chromosome 13q14. Our results indicate that high-dose therapy appears promising in patients with normal chromosome 13, whereas in patients with a deletion of 13q14 innovative therapeutic concepts are warranted.