Preclinical Studies of Novel Targeted Therapies

The bone marrow (BM) milieu confers drug resistance in multiple myeloma (MM) cells to conventional therapies. Novel biologically based therapies are therefore needed. Preclinical studies have identified and validated molecular targeted therapeutics in MM. In particular, recognition of the biologic significance of the BM microenvironment in MM pathogenesis and as a potential target for novel therapeutics has already derived several promising approaches. Thalidomide, lenalidomide (Revlimid), and bortezomib (Velcade) are directed not only at MM cells but also at the BM milieu and have moved rapidly from the bench to the bedside and United States Food and Drug Administration approval to treat MM.