Clinical efficacy of novel therapeutic combinations in the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma

Despite all advances in the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma, relapse is a constant event in this disease. Novel therapeutic agents like proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs and their combinations have improved overall survival in patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma, with partial remission achieved in 50-70% and median duration of 6-14 months, as well as the quality of life of these patients. The novel therapeutic agents presented known and acceptable safety profile. The choice of the appropriate regimen is depending on components of initial therapy, degree of response and remission duration, patient’s status like age, performance status, renal function impairment, pre-existing medical toxicity, cytogenetic abnormalities and, at the other side, aggressiveness of relapsed disease.