1960 patients with newly diagnosed myeloma requiring treatment were enrolled in the MRC Myeloma IX trial (ISRCTN68454111), the design and results of which have been reported elsewhere (28 (link)). In summary, the trial comprised an intensive and non-intensive pathway based on patient eligibility for autologous transplantation, which was decided after informed discussion between patient and treating physician, taking into account patient performance status, co-morbidities and age. Patients in the intensive pathway underwent an initial randomisation to CVAD (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone) or CTD (cyclophosphamide, thalidomide and dexamethasone), followed by high dose melphalan with autologous stem cell rescue. In the non-intensive pathway patients were randomised to either MP (melphalan and prednisolone) or CTDa (attenuated cyclophosphamide, thalidomide and dexamethasone) to maximum response. Both pathways incorporated a maintenance randomisation to thalidomide versus no maintenance. Primary end-points included progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Survival data were available from 1960 patients, 1111 from the intensive pathway and 849 from the non-intensive. 556 patients received CVAD, 555 CTD, 423 MP and 426 CTDa. Median follow up is 3.7 years.