Multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma accounts for 10% of all hematologic cancers. Median age at diagnosis is 69 years for men and 72 years for women. The incidence of MM has remained relatively stable, but the associated mortality has declined since the early 1990s. The knowledge acquired about the bone marrow microenvironment in MM and the availability of new drugs has significantly improved patients survival in the past 10 years. Immunomodulatory drugs (thalidomide, lenalidomide) and proteasome inhibitors (bortezomib, carfilzomib) can induce apoptosis of myeloma plasma cells and suppress cytokine release and metabolic ways which sustain the disease. These novel agents demonstrate substantial activity either alone or as part of a range of combination regimens. MM therapy is now based on 1 or 2 new drugs plus standard chemotherapy. Induction is patient tailored and first of all it depends on eligibility for stem-cell transplantation and key presenting features of the patients and the disease. Noteworthy, novel agent-based combination therapies may overcome most of poor prognostic factors. Up to 80% of newly diagnosed MM patients present with osteopenia, osteolysis and fractures. Thalidomide, lenalidomide and bortezomib have a beneficial effect on myeloma-related bone disease. Thalidomide reduces bone resorption, lenalidomide and bortezomib inhibit osteoclast growth and survival, and specifically target key factors in osteoclastogenesis, preventing development of osteolytic lesions. Noteworthy, new therapies offer higher complete response rates than previously reported with standard regimens.