New drugs for treatment of multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disease of plasma cells that has fatal consequences. New insights into the biology of MM have identified molecular mechanisms that hold promise as therapeutic targets. Laboratory and preclinical studies have shown that intracellular regulatory proteins and functional interactions between MM cells and the bone-marrow microenvironment have a pivotal role in the growth, survival, drug resistance, and malignant progression of MM cells. New agents associated with molecular targets have prompted clinical investigators to design new treatment strategies initially for advanced MM and later for newly diagnosed MM, with encouraging preliminary results. Here, we discuss the mechanisms of action of these new rational drugs and the preliminary clinical outcomes of a new treatment regimen for MM.
Bruno
Benedetto
B
Division of Haematology, University of Turin, Department of Medicine and Experimental Oncology, Laboratory of Haematology and Oncology, Centro di Ricerca in Medicina Sperimentale, Ospedale San Giovanni Battista, Italy. benedetto.bruno@unito.it
Rotta
Marcello
M
Giaccone
Luisa
L
Massaia
Massimo
M
Bertola
Alessandra
A
Palumbo
Antonio
A
Boccadoro
Mario
M
D000077584:2-Methoxyestradiol; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001152:Arsenicals; D004164:Diphosphonates; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010087:Oxides; D004958:Estradiol; D013792:Thalidomide; D000077584:2-Methoxyestradiol; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide