IN THE TREATMENT OF MULTIPLE MYELOMA

Th e design of innovative, more eff ective, less toxic therapy of multiple myeloma (MM) is emerging in parallel to a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of this common hematologic malignancy. Th alidomide has changed the treatment paradigm of patients with MM. Its effi cacy, however, has been compromised by signifi cant side eff ects. IMiDs ® (immunodulatory compounds) are structural and functional analogs of thalidomide that were specifi cally designed to create new agents with enhanced immu-nomodulatory and anticancer properties and better tolerability profi les. In this article, we review the clinical trial development of the second-generation IMiDs®, lenalidomide and pomalidomide. Both agents demonstrate potent activity and are highly eff ective and well tolerated treatment options for patients with MM