Timing treatment for smoldering myeloma: is earlier better?

ABSTRACTIntroduction: In 2014, the International Myeloma Working Group determined that patients with ultra-high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) should be considered for treatment as per patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM), despite not having CRAB (hyperCalcemia, Renal insufficiency, Anemia, Bone disease) symptoms. Current research is elucidating whether patients with high-risk, and even intermediate-risk, SMM could benefit from early therapeutic strategies aimed at delaying progression to active MM and prolonging survival.Areas covered: The authors conducted a systematic literature search using PubMed to identify a series of patients with SMM in which prognostic and predictive factors for progression were investigated, plus the main clinical trials in SMM. Additionally, a search of active clinical trials in SMM was conducted at ClinicalTrials.gov.Expert opinion: Patients with high-risk SMM can benefit from active treatment strategies, which may prolong survival and, perhaps, provide a p...