All transplantation-eligible patients with myeloma should receive ASCT in first response

Abstract

In this last decade, one of the major advances in the management of multiple myeloma has been the introduction of the novel agents thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide as part of frontline treatment in young patients eligible for high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). These drugs have markedly improved the rate of complete remission both before and after ASCT without substantially increasing toxicity. The implementation of an "optimal strategy" consisting of novel-agent-based induction, HDT, and the use of novel agents in consolidation and maintenance may result in a 5-year survival rate of 80% and cure might be considered in a subset of patients who present with good prognostic features at the time of diagnosis. Nevertheless, the high efficacy of the novel agents has led some groups to test these agents upfront without ASCT. At the end of 2014, preliminary randomized data favor early ASCT plus novel agents over novel agents alone. Therefore, the optimal approach to the treatment of multiple myeloma is still to propose the most effective treatment that should involve the use of frontline ASCT in young patients eligible for HDT.