Background Autologous stem cell transplantation （ASCT） is a part of the standard induction therapy of multiple myeloma （MM）. This case-controlled clinical trial aimed to further evaluate the therapeutic effects of ASCT as a consolidation therapy for MM and discuss factors influencing the prognosis.Methods Clinical data of 70 patients diagnosed as MM who received ASCT as a consolidation therapy in our hospital between October 1998 and August 2010 were analyzed retrospectively （ASCT group）. Other 70 MM patients receiving routine chemotherapy without ASCT （non-ASCT group） during the same period were used as controls. Differences in the degree and duration of remission, progression-free survival （PFS） and overall survival （OS） were compared to explore factors that may influence the prognosis.Results The median follow-up period was 38 months （range 1-128 months）. The complete response （CR） rate of ASCT group increased from 27.1% （19/70） before ASCT to 51.4% （36/70） after ASCT. The median PFS of ASCT group was significantly higher than non-ASCT group （45 months vs. 25 months, P 〈0.001）. The median OS of ASCT group was also significantly higher （55 months vs. 30 months, P=0.016）. Single-factor analysis showed that International Staging System （ISS） stage, very good partial response （VGPR） or better outcome were significantly correlated with PFS and OS （P 〈0.001）. Multi-factor analysis showed that whether or not VGPR or better outcome was achieved were independent factors influencing the disease prognosis.Conclusion Used as a consolidation therapy, ASCT can achieve better responses and higher OS and PFS of MM patients.
