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Summary Melphalan–prednisone (MP) has been the gold standard treatment for more than 30 years in elderly multiple myeloma (MM) patients. In order to assess whether the combination of dexamethasone with melphalan (MD) could improve on the efficacy of MP, we have carried out a randomized trial comparing both treatment approaches. A total of 201 patients ≥70 years old were included in the study. The overall response rate was similar after six cycles (MP: 67·9%versus MD: 64·5%) and after 12 cycles (MP: 49·4%versus MD: 46·1%). However, the proportion of complete responses (CR) was higher in the MD arm, particularly after 12 cycles (MD: 22·4%versus MP: 9·1%; P < 0·05). There was no significant difference in event‐free survival (MP: 15·9 months versus MD: 23·3 months). The median overall survival in both arms was almost identical (MP: 29·4 months versus MD: 27·2 months; P = 0·63). No significant differences in haematological toxicity were observed, but non‐haematological toxicity was significantly higher in the MD arm. According to these results MP remains as the gold standard for treatment of MM and should be the reference for comparison of new therapeutic approaches involving novel agents.

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At the heart of experimental high energy physics (HEP) is the development of facilities and instrumentation that provide sensitivity to new phenomena. Our understanding of nature at its most fundamental level is advanced through the analysis and interpretation of data from sophisticated detectors in HEP experiments. The goal of data analysis systems is to realize the maximum possible scientific potential of the data within the constraints of computing and human resources in the least time. To achieve this goal, future analysis systems should empower physicists to access the data with a high level of interactivity, reproducibility and throughput capability. As part of the HEP Software Foundation's Community White Paper process, a working group on Data Analysis and Interpretation was formed to assess the challenges and opportunities in HEP data analysis and develop a roadmap for activities in this area over the next decade. In this report, the key findings and recommendations of the Data Analysis and Interpretation Working Group are presented.

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