Richardson, PaulLaubach, JacobSchlossman, Robert LawrenceGhobrial, IreneMitsiades, ConstantineRosenblatt, JacalynMahindra, AnujRaje, NoopurMunshi, NikhilAnderson, Kenneth2013-02-142011Richardson, Paul G., Jacob P. Laubach, Robert L. Schlossman, Irene M. Ghobrial, Constantine S. Mitsiades, Jacalyn Rosenblatt, Anuj Mahindra, et al. 2011. The Medical Research Council myeloma IX trial: The impact on treatment paradigms. European Journal of Haematology 88(1): 1-7.0902-4441http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:10297258Osteolytic bone disease is a hallmark of symptomatic multiple myeloma. Bisphosphonates have been the mainstay of treatment to preserve skeletal integrity and prevent skeletal-related events in patients with myeloma-related bone disease. Recently, the MRC Myeloma IX trial demonstrated for the first time improved survival and delayed disease progression with the use of an intravenous amino-bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid, vs. an oral agent, clodronate, with intensive and non-intensive anti-myeloma treatment regimens in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. These results validate a large body of preclinical, translational and other clinical data suggesting anti-myeloma effects of amino-bisphosphonates. In addition, this trial also provided the first head-to-head evidence for superiority of one bisphosphonate over another (zoledronic acid vs. clodronate) for reducing skeletal morbidity in patients with multiple myeloma, as well as a prospective comparison of toxicities. Despite the use of non-bortezomib containing anti-myeloma treatment regimens in the MRC Myeloma IX trial, these results are encouraging and provide an impetus to continue to evaluate current treatment guidelines for myeloma-associated bone disease.en-USJournal Article2013-02-1410.1111/j.1600-0609.2011.01721.x