Analysis of Oral Mucositis in Patient's Undergoing Melphalan Conditioning and Autologous Stem Cell Transplant
Analysis of Oral Mucositis in Patient's Undergoing Melphalan Conditioning and Autologous Stem Cell Transplant
This is a pilot study to explore and identify changes in molecular processes within the oral
 mucosa that are associated with the development of oral mucositis (OM) in patients treated
 with Melphalan who undergo autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.
This is an exploratory observational (non-therapeutic) study to collect blood and buccal
 mucosal samples to evaluate RNA expression, assess bacterial colonization, and plasma
 Melphalan concentrations in approximately 50 eligible patients.

 All study samples will be collected from participants while they are hospitalized to receive
 standard of care high-dose Melphalan (HDM) chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem
 cell transplantation (ASCT). Patients who receive this treatment are typically admitted the
 day before HDM. The day after HDM, patients receive ASCT and remain hospitalized for
 approximately 21 days, or until their absolute neutrophil count increases to at least 500
 cells per mm3 and they are no longer considered neutropenic.

 Patients will have blood samples collected for pharmacokinetic analysis at approximately 0
 minutes (before infusion begins), 15 minutes (during the infusion), 30 minutes (at the end of
 infusion), 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 120 minutes, and 180 minutes after the start of Melphalan
 infusion.

 A buccal swab will be done to collect mucosal bacterial samples using paper strips
 (Periopaper) or a sterile cotton tipped swab brushed against the right and left buccal mucosa
 for approximately 15-30 seconds at the following time points:

 1. Within 24 hours PRIOR to administration of Melphalan

 2. Day +3 AFTER transplantation

 3. Upon development of OM (approximately on days +7-10)

 4. Upon recovery of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) to greater than 500/mm3, or on
 discharge, whichever occurs first, in patients who developed OM

 A buccal scraping will be done for gene expression using a dermatologic curette taken from
 the right and left buccal mucosa at the following time points:

 1. Within 24 hours PRIOR to administration of Melphalan

 2. Day +3 AFTER transplantation Note: Patients' mouths will be rinsed with Mary's Magic
 mouthwash prior to the procedure for 15 seconds, which will allow for removal of food
 particles, colonized bacteria and anesthetization of oral mucosa. During procedure, any
 signs of patient discomfort will be monitored. If patient expresses discomfort,
 additional oral topical anesthetic will be utilized to de-sensitive buccal mucosa.
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) or systemic light-chain amyloidosis who are
 receiving high-dose Melphalan (HDM) and autologous peripheral blood stem cell
 transplantation (ASCT).

 2. Age is greater than 18 years old

 3. Patients receiving a total Melphalan dose of 140-200 mg/m2 as the preparative regimen

 4. No prior history of allogeneic stem cell transplantation

 5. Patients otherwise meeting all standard institutional criteria for ASCT

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1. Patients who do not meet inclusion criteria