¹Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology 'Seràgnoli', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

Correspondence: Professor M Cavo, Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology 'Seràgnoli', University of Bologna, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. E-mail: mcavo@med.unibo.it

Received 1 March 2006; Revised 28 March 2006; Accepted 29 March 2006; Published online 29 June 2006.

Abstract

Bortezomib (formerly PS-341) has been the first proteasome inhibitor to enter clinical trials in cancer patients. Based on results of preclinical studies showing that this novel agent directly inhibits the proliferation of myeloma cells, induces their apoptosis and abrogates paracrine tumor growth through alteration of myeloma–stromal cell interactions and nuclear factor-B-dependent cytokine secretion, several large phase II and III studies of bortezomib were initiated in patients with advanced relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Favorable results of these studies led to accelerated approval for use of bortezomib in MM patients who have progressed after at least their second therapy and, more recently, to expanded approval for second-line use in patients on whom one prior therapy has failed. In the meantime, combination studies of bortezomib with various agents, including dexamethasone, DNA-damaging drugs, thalidomide and lenalidomide, have been designed and are currently ongoing in patients with both relapsed/refractory and newly diagnosed disease. Bortezomib offers great promise to overcome resistance to conventional chemotherapy and may be the 'backbone' for the development of more effective treatment strategies to improve patient outcome in MM.