Data from pre-clinical and clinical studies conducted to date support the continued development of VELCADE for the treatment of Multiple Myeloma. Standard chemotherapy remains as the gold standard for induction before HDT/SCT treatment in younger multiple myeloma patients (<65 years). Since VELCADE has a mechanism of action different from chemotherapy and dexamethasone and is considered to be efficacious in Multiple Myeloma, its introduction in induction regimens may contribute to increase the response rate and eventually survival of these patients that represent half of myeloma population.