Speaking to ecancer from the 55th meeting of the American Society of Haematology (ASH) in New Orleans, USA, Prof Philippe Moreau from University Hospital Hotel-Dieu Nantes, France, and Dr Marivi Mateos from the University Hospital of Salamanca, Spain, discuss the largest randomised trial ever in elderly patients with multiple myeloma (MM).  This was the MMO-20 trial, presented at ASH 2013, which they expect will change the landscape of therapy for this disease. Dr Moreau outlines the impact of this trial on treatment in cases of relapse, and Dr Mateos adds that the trial can be considered a new backbone around which other treatments can be fitted.

Dr Mateos describes the treatments used in Spain which are seen as novel by the rest of Europe, including alternating different drug regimens over a nine-week period to help delay relapse in elderly patients. She talks about how the alternating scheme is superior in efficacy, and improves outcomes without increasing toxicity. Dr Mateos goes on to talk about new agents for use in relapse or refractory myeloma, increasing doses while decreasing frequency of administration.  Prof Moreau also discusses information presented on a promising new oral agent.

Dr Mateos discusses forthcoming trials, and outlines the impressive results of an American trial which achieved 100% remission in high-risk smouldering myeloma.

Read our ASH 2013 conference report for free.

This programme has been supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Janssen Pharmaceutica (A Johnson & Johnson Company).