Current treatment options for Waldenström macroglobulinemia

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a lymphoma characterized by lymphoplasmacytic bone marrow infiltration and elevated immunoglobulin M levels. Effective treatment modalities exist for this disease but no cure. We review available treatment modalities, the findings of relevant and comparative recent clinical trials, and the latest therapeutic advances in the management of patients with WM. Alkylating agents, nucleoside analogues, monoclonal antibodies, and proteasome inhibitors have been studied as single therapeutic agents and as combination therapies. The encouraging results of combination regimens have resulted in their use as first-line and salvage treatments. Further clinical trials are required before a specific regimen can be recommended.