Melphalan: old and new uses of a still master drug for multiple myeloma

Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2007 Sep;16(9):1467-87. doi: 10.1517/13543784.16.9.1467.

Abstract

The treatment of multiple myeloma has seen significant changes from the initial use of melphalan to the introduction of stem cell transplantation and, most recently, to the era of novel targeted agents. Melphalan still remains as a reference drug for combination regimens, including emerging newer therapeutic options, either used at a standard dose for initial or salvage treatments in patients who are not eligible for more intensive therapies, or in conjunction with new molecules within high-dose chemotherapy programs. In this review, the authors analyze old and novel regimens, including melphalan for the treatment of newly diagnosed or relapsed/resistant patients with multiple myeloma in the clinical settings of standard chemotherapy, as well as autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Melphalan / therapeutic use*
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Myeloma / prevention & control
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local

Substances

  • Melphalan