[Multiple myeloma--advances in disease biology and implications for therapy].
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a systemic malignancy of pathologic plasma cells that is treatable with various chemotherapeutic agents and irradiation, but rarely curable. The mean age of affected patients is the mid-60s. Since the clinical presentation of multiple myeloma varies from asymptomatic to aggressive progression, there are many therapeutic options, such as follow-up without any treatment, and high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplantation. Recent advances in disease biology and implications for therapy are reviewed and summarized.
Chou
T
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Department of Internal Medicine, Niigata Cancer Center Hospital, 2-15-3 Kawagishi-cho, Niigata 951-8566, Japan.
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate