Initial treatment of transplant candidates with multiple myeloma

Over the last decade, thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide have been introduced into the armamentarium of myeloma therapies. These novel agents have improved the rate of complete remission both before and after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) without substantially increasing toxicity, which has important implications as the achievement of high-quality responses is a significant prognostic factor for outcome. This review will focus on the most recent results of novel agent-based induction therapies, as well as on interesting developments in the transplant phase that are aimed at improving the results of conditioning regimens.