Multiple myeloma is still an incurable disease with pattern of regression and 
remission followed by multiple relapses raising from the residual myeloma cells 
surviving even in the patients who achieve complete clinical response to 
treatment. New antimyeloma drugs such as thalidomide, lenalidomide, and 
bortezomib have dramatically changed treatment paradigm leading to both tumor 
reduction and tumor suppression. Much progress has been made, but still many 
unsolved questions remain. In the mode of sequencing treatment for patients with 
multiple myeloma, we are still using old drugs such as the alkylating agent 
melphalan, which continues to play a central role in the transplantation 
setting. Newer drugs are now emerging and are being tested: monoclonal 
antibodies, histone deacetylase (romidespsin), MLN9708 (ixazomib) a new oral 
proteasome inhibitor, carfilzomib, signal transduction modulator perifosine. 
Many advances have been made, but there is still a long way to go.