The first relapse in multiple myeloma: how to pick the next best thing

The choice of treat ment for patients with mul ti ple mye loma (MM) at fi rst relapse / pro gres sion is based on many fac tors: (1) treat ment - related fac tors, which include the reg i men used dur ing first induc tion, the qual ity and dura tion of first response achieved, toxicities from the first treat ment, whether the patient under went autol o gous stem cell trans plant, and whether the patient was on main te nance at the time of relapse / pro gres sion; (2) dis ease - related fac tors, includ ing dis ease pre sen ta tion and pace of pro gres sion; and (3) patient - related fac tors, includ ing func tional age and per for mance sta tus. The learn ing objec tives are to pres ent the treat ment options for patients with MM upon their fi rst relapse and to learn about various strategies for selecting an optimal treatment regimen.