The proteasome is responsible for the degradation of intracellular proteins, including several involved in cell cycle control and the regulation of apoptosis. Preclinical studies have shown that the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib decreases proliferation, induces apoptosis, enhances the activity of chemotherapy and radiation, and reverses chemoresistance in a variety of hematologic and solid malignancy models in vitro and in vivo. Proteasome inhibition with bortezomib has specifically promoted apoptosis of tumor cells through the stabilization of p53, p21, p27, Bax, and IB␣, resulting in nuclear factor B inhibition. Bortezomib was the first proteasome inhibitor to enter clinical trials. In two Phase II trials, SUMMIT and CREST, it was found that treatment with bortezomib, alone or in combination with dexamethasone, produced durable responses with meaningful survival benefits in patients with recurrent and/or refractory multiple myeloma. In the APEX Phase III trial, bortezomib produced significant survival benefits and improved response rates over high-dose dexamethasone at first recurrence and beyond in patients