Hematology/oncology clinics of North America
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Hematol. Oncol. Clin. North Am. · Oct 2014
ReviewFrontline Therapy for Patients with Multiple Myeloma not Eligible for Stem Cell Transplantation.
Considerable progress has been recently made in the treatment of elderly patients with multiple myeloma (MM). In Europe the combination of thalidomide with melphalan and prednisone and of bortezomib with melphalan and prednisone are 2 standards of care for frontline therapy for elderly patients. In United States the combination of lenalidomide and dexamethasone is the preferred option in this setting. This article focuses on more recent therapeutic approaches in older MM patients, not eligible for high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation.
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Hematol. Oncol. Clin. North Am. · Oct 2014
ReviewTreatment of transplant-eligible patients with multiple myeloma in 2014.
Induction regimens containing a proteasome inhibitor and/or immunomodulatory agent with dexamethasone result in rapid disease control before autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). ASCT followed by consolidation and/or maintenance further improves depth of response following effective induction. ⋯ The optimal timing of ASCT and methods to prevent relapse following ASCT are under active investigation. Different patient populations may benefit differentially from currently available treatments.