No abstract

This study (PHANTASTIC) compares first-line plerixafor with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in 98 myeloma and lymphoma patients with 151 historic controls mobilised by conventional chemotherapy+G-CSF. Eleven patients developed mild transient symptoms possibly related to plerixafor. No serious adverse events were seen. Seventy (71%) plerixafor-mobilised patients achieved both ⩾4 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg in ⩽2 aphereses and no neutropenia (<1.0 × 109/l). This is significantly >48 (32%) of 151 historical chemotherapy+G-CSF-mobilised control patients achieving this end point (P<0.001). Ninety-six (98%) plerixafor-mobilised patients achieved ⩾2 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg within one harvest round compared with 114 (75%) of controls (P=0.001). Engraftment times and 12-month outcome were comparable in both groups. Prior treatment was summarised by two scoring systems. Controls mobilising either >2.0 or >4.0 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg have significantly lower scores than mobilisation failures (P=0.002), but this relationship was not seen for plerixafor-mobilised patients. Plerixafor is a more effective and less toxic mobilising agent than conventional chemotherapy (especially in heavily pretreated patients), with comparable subsequent outcome, and merits consideration as the first-line standard of care for stem cell mobilisation.

Dr. Yoshihara focuses on the importance of reporting postoperative medication use as it relates to spinal surgeries, but a similar plea can be made with regard to nonsurgical therapies (interventional as well as noninterventional) for spine-related pain. Evaluation of postoperative/post-therapy medication usage in the context of pain that may have multiple sources may be challenging but can be an important component of comprehensive outcomes assessments that will allow us to assess the utility and value of our interventions more accurately.

No abstract

No abstract