A Pilot Study: Gene Expression and Bacterial Analysis of Oral Mucositis in Patient's Undergoing Melphalan Conditioning and Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

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