Multiple myeloma: optimal management and long-term disease control

Abstract

Priya Sriskandarajah, Faith E Davies Divisions of Molecular Pathology, Cancer Therapeutics, and Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK Abstract: Multiple myeloma is an incurable hematological disease previously associated with poor prognosis and survival rates. However, following the advent of the so-called novel agents, the goal of therapy has now moved to long-term disease control and potential cure. However, despite these advances, myeloma displays considerable heterogeneity and, over time, control of disease can be lost. In order to counteract this, new strategies are incorporating risk stratification to provide more individualized therapy. Furthermore, there is now increasing focus on adapting therapy in elderly and frail patients to improve compliance and maximize treatment benefit. Keywords: combination regimes, frailty index, risk stratification, myeloma