Epidemiology, genetics and treatment of multiple myeloma and precursor diseases

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy caused by the clonal expansion of plasma cells. The incidence of MM worldwide is increasing with greater than 140,000 people being diagnosed with MM per year. While 5-year survival following a diagnosis of MM has improved from 28% in 1975 to 56% in 2012 the disease remains essentially incurable. In this review we summarize our current understanding of MM including its epidemiology, genetics and biology. We will also provide an overview of MM management that have led to improvements in survival, including recent changes to diagnosis and therapies. Areas of unmet need include the management of patients with high-risk MM, those with a reduced performance status and those refractory to standard therapies. Ongoing research into the biology and early detection of MM as well as the development of novel therapies such as immunotherapies have the potential to influence MM practice in the future. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.