Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for multiple myeloma.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation remains the only therapeutic approach with documented curative potential for patients with multiple myeloma. A survey of recently published trials reveals a 40% long-term survival rate with no evidence of residual disease in a majority of patients. While morbidity and mortality from myelosuppression and graft-versus-host disease are relatively high, allogeneic bone marrow transplantation should be considered early in the course of treatment for patients with high-risk myeloma.