Autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (AHCT) can be performed safely in older patients, but it is accompanied by higher toxicity and slightly higher nonrelapse mortality, according to a study involving 144 individuals. Participants received AHCT for multiple myeloma or lymphoma between 2010 and 2012. Investigators compared outcomes, adverse events, and overall survival in patients 40 to 59 years of age (n=77) and those ≥60 (n=67). Among the results:

• Nearly two-thirds of older patients had neutropenic infections, compared with 44% of the younger group.
• Older patients were more than twice as likely as younger ones likely to experience grade 3–5 toxicities.
• Non-relapse mortality was 3% in the older group at 1 year, vs zero in the younger cohort.
• The probability of overall survival at 2 years was 76% in the older group, vs 90% in the younger contingent.