The role of maintenance treatment with immunomodulatory drugs in multiple myeloma

Abstract

Multiple myleoma is considered an incurable disease. However, the introduction of novel induction regimens followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation significantly prolonged survival. Further improvement is expected with the introduction of maintenance treatment including the use of immunomodulatory agents. Studies on long-term use of thalidomide demonstrated its beneficial effect on progression-free survival. Unfortunately, the treatment was associated with increased risk of adverse events, in particular peripheral neuropathy. More recently, results of three trials regarding the use of lenalidomide have been published. One of them demonstrated advantage with regard to the overall survival, all three – prolongation of progression-free survival. Further efforts are needed to define subgroup of patients who benefit most strongly from the maintenance treatment.