title: [Multiple myeloma].
abstract: Owing to the positive clinical benefits obtained with new agents, complete remission (CR) can be used as a surrogate for overall survival, and should be achieved. Although multiple myeloma is a heterogeneous disease in terms of myeloma cell- and patient-related risk factors, patients should receive the most effective combination therapy based on proteasome inhibitors and/or immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) as backbone medication irrespective of the risks encountered in the setting of induction therapy ("one-size-fits-all" therapy), followed by consolidation/maintenance therapy to achieve CR with the ultimate goal of extended survival. Myeloma-defining biomarkers have been established to identify high-risk smoldering myeloma requiring treatment. The development of salvage treatments yielding better outcomes for relapsed/refractory myeloma is urgently needed. Upcoming novel molecular targeting agents with different modes of action and immunotherapeutic agents will be integrated into myeloma treatment regimens with a great therapeutic impact, and further evolution of the treatment paradigm for multiple myeloma is eagerly anticipated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tokushima University Graduate School.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miki
authors.forename: Shingen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016723:Bone Remodeling; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents