2. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,000 cells/mm3 (1.0 x 109/L) (≥ 0.5 x 109/L if due to extensive bone marrow [BM] involvement by ≥ 50% of plasma cells in BM biopsy). Screening of ANC should be independent of granulocyte- and granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF and GM-CSF) support for at least one week and of pegylated G-CSF for at least two weeks.