Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant plasma cell neoplasm that often is preceded by a common pre-malignant monoclonal expansion of plasma cells called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). The MAGE genes encode antigenic peptides that are presentd by HLA class I molecules and that are recognized on human tumors by T lymphocytes. They are activated in a variety of malignant neoplasma while remaining silent in normal tissues with the exception of testis and ocassionally placenta. Presence of RNA transcripts encoding members of the MAGE gene family in myeloma tumor cells  and cell lines has been documented. The aim of this study is to evaluate the posibility of using these genes as molecular markers of the progression  MGUS to multiple myeloma and the early relapse of the MM. This abstract covers our pilot and preliminary results.