Editorial [Hot Topic: Novel Agents for Multiple Myeloma Treatment (Guest Editors: D. Ribatti and A. Vacca)]

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant proliferation of plasma cells and plasmacytoid cells in the bone marrow which is characterized nearly always by the presence in the serum and/or urine of a monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) or Ig fragment. MM is the second most common hematologic malignancy, accounting for 15,270 new cancer cases in the United States in the year 2004, and approximately 2% of cancer-related deaths. Several in vitro and animal model studies have demonstrated the importance of the bone marrow in promoting MM cell growth, survival, drug resistance, and migration within the bone marrow microenvironment and in extramedullary sites, and have already derived new molecules that target both MM cells and the bone marrow microenvironment. Thus, thalidomide and derivatives (Revlimid and the Actimid) and Velcade have transformed considerably the history of MM treatment. They have not to be considered as competitors but rather complementary agents whose impact will probably stem from their combination and their association with the intensive treatment. This issue of “Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology” is a collection of reviews focused on “Novel agents for multiple myeloma treatment”. The goal has been to provide up-to-date reviews of benefit to a broad audience. We would like to express our appreciations to all colleagues for their excellent contributions. It is our hope that this issue serves as a platform to stimulate new ideas leading to new discoveries and the expansion of new frontiers in the field of multiple myeloma treatment.