title: Plasma cell myeloma: biology and treatment.
abstract: Plasma cell myeloma results from malignant transformation in an early hemopoietic precursor cell. The disease progresses from an asymptomatic stable phase through a symptomatic phase to a terminal acute phase marked by aggressive cell growth and marrow failure. The activation of a series of oncogenes may govern the initiation and stepwise progression of these neoplasms. Chemotherapy causes the tumor to regress in about 50% of patients and improves survival, but it does not alter the course of the disease. Interferon maintenance therapy prolongs remission durations and appears to alter the course of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bergsagel
mesh_terms: D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*