title: Novel agents in the frontline management of multiple myeloma.
abstract: Significant advances in our understanding of the biology of multiple myeloma have led to exciting new opportunities in treatment. The management of this disease is rapidly changing with a plethora of clinical trials initiated with novel agents, namely thalidomide, lenalidomide and bortezomib, either alone or in conjunction with established modalities such as conventional cytotoxic agents and stem-cell transplantation. The combination of these novel agents together with conventional regimens have led to higher response rates and survival, providing options for patients whose disease is otherwise resistant to conventional therapy. These pivotal trials that lead to the approval of these three novel agents in treatment naïve patients. The potential implications in the frontline treatment paradigm of multiple myeloma are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories Hong Kong. h_loong@clo.cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Herbert H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Loong
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069286:Bortezomib; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077269:Lenalidomide; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001897:Boronic Acids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011719:Pyrazines; D013792:Thalidomide; D000069286:Bortezomib; D000077269:Lenalidomide