The salient clinical characteristics at diagnosis and treatment response of the 15

*. According to the IMWG criteria, and the evaluation was taken at the 3rd month from the HDT/AuSCT;**. Defined from commencement of induction treatment to HDT/AuSCT.Abbreviations: A, doxorubicin; BM, bone marrow; C, cyclophosphamide; CA, cytogenetic abnormalities; CR, complete response; D, dexamethasone; DSS, Durie-Salmon Stage; F, female; HDT/AuSCT, high dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation; ISS, International Staging System; M, male; M-protein, myeloma immunoprotein; m, month; PC, plasma cell; PR, partial response; Pt, patient; T, thalidomide; V, bortezomib; VGPR, very good partial response; yr, years; ZA, zoledronic acid.