title: Sorafenib for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sorafenib is an orally available compound that acts predominantly by targeting the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway and by inhibiting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Since the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway is implicated in the proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells and VEGF in bone marrow neovascularization, sorafenib is a drug offering the potential for targeting two important pathogenetic mechanisms involved in MM. Thus, sorafenib is being proposed for use in MM.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this review, the authors discuss the rationale for the use of sorafenib in MM. They then summarize the clinical development of sorafenib in MM, from initial Phase I to Phase II studies. A systematic literature review of the trials was performed using PubMed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preliminary data from phase I/II trials showed that sorafenib had a good safety profile but minimal anti-myeloma activity as a single agent in relapsed/refractory patients. Results of phase II trials, evaluating sorafenib combined with new drugs, such as bortezomib and lenalidomide are eagerly awaited.
authors.affiliation: a Hematology Unit , Azienda Ospedaliera di Cosenza , Cosenza , Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.affiliation: b Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Unit , Azienda Ospedaliera BMM di Reggio Calabria , Reggio Calabria , Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.affiliation: c Biotechnology Research Unit , Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Cosenza , Aprigliano , Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Grazia
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Recchia
authors.affiliation: c Biotechnology Research Unit , Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Cosenza , Aprigliano , Italy.
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vigna
authors.affiliation: d Medical Oncology & Hematology Unit , Humanitas Cancer Center, Istituto Clinico Humanitas, IRCCS , Milano , Italy.
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morabito
authors.affiliation: a Hematology Unit , Azienda Ospedaliera di Cosenza , Cosenza , Italy.|c Biotechnology Research Unit , Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Cosenza , Aprigliano , Italy.
authors.forename: Fortunato
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morabito
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069286:Bortezomib / Q000008:administration & dosage; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D000077269:Lenalidomide; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077157:Sorafenib; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D009536:Niacinamide; D013792:Thalidomide; D000069286:Bortezomib; D000077157:Sorafenib; D000077269:Lenalidomide
keywords: Myeloma; Raf inhibitor; sorafenib; target therapy