The next generation of novel therapies for the management of relapsed multiple myeloma

Abstract

The advent of various novel therapies such as immunomodulators and proteasome inhibitors has transformed the treatment paradigm for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). As a result, the overall survival has improved dramatically over the last decade. Despite these advances, MM remains mostly incurable and most patients experience disease relapse after enjoying a period of disease control or remission. Fortunately, the scientific community continues to make strides in developing 'next-generation' therapies for the management of patients with relapsed MM. This review will summarize the efficacy of some of the newest therapeutic agents available for the treatment of patients with relapsed MM after their upfront treatment with the original novel agents such as thalidomide, lenalidomide and bortezomib.

Keywords: multiple myeloma; novel agents; relapse.

Conflict of interest statement

Financial & competing interests disclosureThis work is supported in part by the CTSA Grant UL1 TR000135 from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), a component of the NIH. This work is also supported in part by the Marion Schwartz Foundation for Multiple Myeloma. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.