Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy and the second most common hematologic malignancy. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2013, 22,350 new cases of MM will have been be diagnosed, and 10,710 deaths will occur as a result of the disease in the U.S. While MM was an intractable disease for many years, recent clinical advancements have dramatically changed its therapeutic landscape.
Indeed, due to the introduction of several new effective therapeutic agents, MM is one of the most active and changing fields in clinical oncology. The recent development of novel agents, such as the immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) thalidomide and lenalidomide and the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, have increased response rates and prolonged patient survival.  
Additionally, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) represent a novel class of drugs targeting enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation of gene expression, which have been evaluated for the treatment of MM. HDACIs appear to be synergistic both in vitro and in vivo when combined with other anti-MM agents, mainly proteasome inhibitors. Despite these advancements, however, MM remains incurable in the majority of patients.
Due to the recent nature of clinical developments, as well as the continued urgency to identify optimal therapeutic approaches for this patient population, it is imperative that oncologists, hematologists, and other healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of MM have access to the most up-to-date information. It is the aim of this accredited educational program to provide access to relevant and topical data in the field of MM.