Managing multiple myeloma in the elderly: are we making progress?

Treatment of multiple myeloma has evolved rapidly over the last decade due to novel therapeutic agents. Improved upfront and salvage options have resulted in enhanced survival; however, this has been less pronounced in elderly patients compared with their younger counterparts. Indeed, treatment-related toxicities in older patients may have subverted the survival benefit made by newer treatment modalities. However, owing to the immaturity of current published data, the true survival impact made by novel agents in the elderly patient subgroup is far from being fully appreciated. Improved responses, along with increased salvage options, imply that progress for elderly patients is being made. The current challenge to improve survival for elderly patients not only rests with continued research into tolerable novel treatment regimens, but also, scrupulous supportive care and the judicious use of current novel agents in appropriate dosing, combinations and sequence. Here, we review the outcomes of elderly patients with multiple myeloma over recent years and focus on the current treatment options available for this group.