Management of myeloma: an Italian perspective

Multiple myeloma remains a fatal plasma cell malignancy. However, new insights into the disease biology and immunology have identified molecular mechanisms, underling functional interactions between plasma cells and the bone marrow microenvironment that have become molecular targets of so-called "new drugs" such as thalidomide, lenalidomide, and bortezomib. Recently, the combinations of new drugs with melphalan and prednisone in elderly patients, and with autologous stem cell transplantation in induction and/or maintenance schedules in younger patients have significantly prolonged overall survival. Optimal combinations and timing are a matter of debate. Moreover, management of side effects is a key clinical target to improve long-term quality of life. Many randomized phase III studies are currently in progress to address these issues. Whether these new advancements in myeloma treatment will eventually translate into a long chronic phase or a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance-like status for the majority of patients remains, however, still unanswered.