Treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: advances in current therapy

The past decade has seen incredible progress in the treatment of myeloma as a result of more widespread application of autologous stem cell transplantation and introduction of several new drugs. Hence, the survival of patients with this disease has significantly improved during this period. The treatment approach for patients with myeloma has undergone a paradigm shift as a result of the different choices available for treating the patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. In addition, appreciation of the heterogeneity in the outcome of these patients and the impact of genetics on the prognosis has led to efforts at developing a risk-adapted approach to treatment. This article summarizes the recent advances in the treatment of newly diagnosed myeloma and suggests a treatment algorithm for approaching newly diagnosed myeloma.