Emília Flochová, Juraj Sokol
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplasia that arises from an uncontrolled proliferation and accumulation of the neoplastic transformed ß-cell line with the characteristics of plasmocytes accompanied by the production of M-protein („paraprotein“ detectable in the blood and/or urine) and sings of the organ dysfunction (CRAB). Although current treatment strategies with novel agents significantly prolonged survival and improved quality of life of patients, remains MM an incurable disease. The standard of care for patients under 65 years without major attendant comorbidity remains chemotherapy followed by autologous peripheral stem cells transplantation; so we achieved a higher number of complete responses (25-50 %) vs. conventional chemotherapy alone. Elderly patients over 65 years and younger patients unsuitable for transplantation have induction chemotherapy with inclusion of novel agents (bortezomib, thalidomide, lenalidomide).