The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of different chemotherapy regimens in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The therapeutic effects of 71 MM patients receiving standard chemotherapy regimens were retrospectively analyzed and evaluated. The results showed that 44 out of 71 new-diagnosed MM patients gained remission in varying degree, total effective rate was 61.9%, in which the rate of complete remission (CR) plus nearly complete remission (nCR) was 21.1%. 21 MM patients received M2 regimen gained total effective rate of 57.1%, in which the CR plus nCR were found in 5 MM patients, and partial remission (PR) was observed in 7 MM patients. 8 MM patients received MP chemotherapy regimen gained total effective rate of 37.5%, in which the CR + nCR was not found, but the PR was observed in 3 MM patients. 30 MM patients received VAD regimen gained total effective rate of 63.3%, in which CR + nCR and PR were found in 6 and 13 MM patients respectively, 12 MM patients received combined bortezomib regimen gained total effective rate of 83.3%, in which CR + nCR and PR were found in 4 and 6 MM patients respectively. The median time of progression and the median time of survival in 72 MM patients were 22.1 and 29.5 months respectively. The 3 and 5 year survival rates in 72 MM patients were 41.2% and 20.6% respectively. In conclusion, the chemotherapy regimen for new-diagnosed MM patients should be selected according to their clinical features and subtypes, the bortezomib-combined regimen may be considered as a new and effective regimen for MM patients.