Prof Pieter Sonneveld speaks about a trial evaluating the efficacy of bortezomib during induction and maintenance therapy on progression-free survival in patients with multiple myeloma. A higher level of complete response was seen when bortezomib was used in place of vincristine during induction and bortezomib maintenance was better tolerated than thalidomide and achieved a superior progression free survival. Prof Sonneveld goes on to discusses the results of a large scale trial which indicate that allogeneic bone marrow transplant may not be beneficial to multiple myeloma patients and to reflect on the implications of a UK based trial which suggests that treating multiple myeloma patients with zoledronic acid can extend patient survival.