Multiple myeloma: present and future.
Multiple myeloma is a clonal B-cell tumor of slowly proliferating plasma cells within the bone marrow. Among hematologic malignancies, it constitutes 10% of the cancers and ranks as the second most frequently occurring hematologic cancer in the United States, after non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Interleukin-6 is an important cytokine in myeloma cell growth and proliferation. Close cell-to-cell contact between myeloma cells and the bone marrow stromal cells triggers a large amount of interleukin-6 production, which supports the growth of these cells, as well as protecting them from apoptosis induced by dexamethasone and other chemotherapeutic agents. Therapies modulating the tumor and its microenvironment are being actively pursued with the goal of converting multiple myeloma to a chronic disease with the patients maintaining a normal lifestyle.
Hussein
Mohamad A
MA
Myeloma Research Program, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. husseim@ccf.org
Juturi
Jaya V
JV
Lieberman
Isador
I
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010087:Oxides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077268:Pamidronate; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001152:Arsenicals; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D010087:Oxides; D013792:Thalidomide; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid; D000077268:Pamidronate; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide