Recovery of renal function after autologous stem cell transplantation in myeloma patients with end-stage renal failure

The disease-free survival of patients with myeloma and severe renal failure after high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell rescue is similar to those with normal renal function at the time of the autograft. However, recovery of renal function after intensive treatment is uncommon and patients with end-stage renal failure continue to be dialysis-dependent. We report two patients with myeloma who required regular haemodialysis from diagnosis, but became dialysis-independent after a high-dose melphalan autograft. Thus, in some patients, renal function may be partially salvageable despite the requirement for dialysis at the time of autografting.