Therapeutic advances in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma

The past decade has been a time of rapid progress in multiple myeloma, but the future therapeutic landscape may be even more promising, as new agents are better tolerated and novel pathways are exploited. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) now include the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib and immunomodulatory drug pomalidomide, which are more potent than previous generations of these drugs have been. These agents are extending progression free and overall survival of patients with relapsed refractory myeloma, as is maintenance therapy with lenalidomide after initial therapy of patients with newly diagnosed disease At the NCCN 18th Annual Conference, Dr. Kenneth C. Anderson from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reviewed the data leading to the approval of these exciting agents, discussed the efficacy of current regimens, and described the future landscape and the exciting potential of new agents to further improve and extend the lives of patients with myeloma.