Clinical translation in multiple myeloma: from bench to bedside

The outlook for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) has improved significantly with the development of new and more effective therapies, particularly the immunomodulatory agents and proteasome inhibitors. Preclinical and correlative science investigations have played a critical role in these advances, providing important insights regarding mechanisms of neoplasia, inhibition of tumor growth, and drug resistance. This review highlights the evolution of drug development in MM, the manner in which preclinical models have contributed to the process of drug discovery, and important insights gained during the current era of MM drug development.