Review of thalidomide in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

The role of thalidomide has been well established in the setting of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM). More recently, studies have been focused on upfront induction therapy. In newly diagnosed MM patients, thalidomide improved the response rates and the event-free survival induced by both high-dose and conventional chemotherapy regimens. The effect on survival needs to be further investigated. The efficacy of this drug is counterbalanced by a significant rate of both acute and long-term toxicities. Thus best timing of initiation, dosing schemes and duration of therapy is still unclear. Evidence is now emerging that clinical response can be achieved also at lower doses with minimal long term toxicity.