On May 13, 2003, the FDA approved the drug bortezomib (Velcade) for the treatment of multiple myeloma. In a phase II study, 202 heavily pretreated patients all received the same schedule at 1.3 mg/m2. Of 188 evaluable patients, complete responses occurred in five (3%) and partial responses occurred in 47 (25%). The median duration of response was 365 days.