Understanding the tumor microenvironment and bone marrow interactions for multiple myeloma is crucial for the development of new therapies aimed at circumventing resistance to conventional therapy. Kumar and Anderson discuss how the development of thalidomide and its immunomodulatory derivatives are a milestone in the treatment of this disease, and how assessment of these agents in model systems has shown great promise in the clinic, thereby paving the way for the development of even more effective therapies.
- Shaji Kumar
- Kenneth C Anderson