1.1 Thalidomide in combination with an alkylating agent and a corticosteroid is recommended as an option for the first-line treatment of multiple myeloma in people for whom high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplantation is considered inappropriate.
1.2 Bortezomib in combination with an alkylating agent and a corticosteroid is recommended as an option for the first-line treatment of multiple myeloma if:
high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplantation is considered inappropriate and
the person is unable to tolerate or has contraindications to thalidomide.
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA228