title: Maintenance therapy for multiple myeloma.
abstract: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplasm typical of the elderly, with median age at diagnosis of 70 years, and approximately 65% of patients older than 65 years. Many advances have been made thanks to the use of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) and the introduction of the immunomodulatory drugs and the proteasome inhibitors. Incorporation of novel agents into induction has resulted in improved overall survival. Optimal MM maintenance therapy should maintain or increase response after induction and, when possible, AHSCT. Optimal maintenance therapy must be effective with minimal toxicity and should be easily administered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, State University of New York at Buffalo, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
authors.forename: Philip L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.affiliation: Myeloma Unit, Division of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Torino, Via Genova 3, Torino 10126, Italy. Electronic address: appalumbo@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palumbo
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077269:Lenalidomide; D060046:Maintenance Chemotherapy / Q000379:methods; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000628:therapy*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D013792:Thalidomide; D000077269:Lenalidomide
keywords: Bortezomib; Lenalidomide; Maintenance; Multiple myeloma; Thalidomide; Transplant-eligible; Transplant-ineligible