title: Induction therapy before transplantation in multiple myeloma: new strategies to achieve complete response.
abstract: The application of high-dose therapy combined with stem cell support has greatly improved the outcome of treatment in patients with multiple myeloma. However, induction treatments are rapidly changing, and it has now become possible to achieve complete responses in 30%-40% of newly diagnosed patients before high-dose therapy. The effect of the improved induction regimens on the results of the whole treatment strategy and the long-term outcome will have to be evaluated in prospective randomized trials. The introduction of new drugs such as thalidomide and bortezomib have contributed significantly to this changed remission status and may ultimately lead to a change of concept about the value of remission-induction therapy. In this article, we review various regimens that are used for induction therapy in preparation for stem cell transplantation and describe the impact these novel agents could have on patient remission status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ka Lung
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sonneveld
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069286:Bortezomib; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000628:therapy*; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001897:Boronic Acids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011719:Pyrazines; D013792:Thalidomide; D014750:Vincristine; D000069286:Bortezomib; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004317:Doxorubicin