EBMT 2017 | Autologous stem cell transplantations: BEAM or BEAC?

Stephen Robinson • 26 Mar 2017

EBMT 2017

Dr. Stephen Robinson of the Bristol Hematology Oncology Centre discusses the conditioning therapies that are being utilized for an autologous stem cell transplantation. The BEAM conditioning therapy is most commonly used in Europe and uses the following chemotherapy drugs: BiCNU, Etoposide, ARA-C (cytarabine) and Melphalan. Other conditioning therapies include the BEAC regimen where the melphalan is replaced by cyclophosphamide, however it is important to be careful when administering the BEAC regimen to elderly patients, because cyclophosphamide can have a toxic effect on the cardiac system. A large study, comparing both regimens, conducted by EBMT demonstrated no difference in transplant-related mortalities, so there is no overall risk of the BEAC conditioning therapy. Recorded at the 2017 annual meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.