title: Targeting multiple myeloma cells and their bone marrow microenvironment.
abstract: Although multiple myeloma (MM) is sensitive to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, long-term disease-free survival is rare, and MM remains incurable despite conventional and high-dose therapies. Direct (cell-cell contact) and soluble (via cytokines) forms of interactions between MM cells and bone marrow stroma regulate growth, survival, and homing of MM cells. These interactions also play a critical role in angiogenesis and in myeloma bone disease. In recent years, several studies have established the biologic significance of cytokines in MM pathogenesis and delineated signaling cascades mediating their effects, providing the framework for related novel therapies targeting not only the MM cell, but also the bone marrow microenvironment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Department of Oncology, A.R.N.A.S. Civico, Via Carmelo Lazzaro, 2, 90127 Palermo, Italy. gpagnucco@ospedalecivicopa.org
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pagnucco
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cardinale
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gervasi
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000494:pharmacology; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D000069286:Bortezomib; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001152:Arsenicals; D001897:Boronic Acids; D016207:Cytokines; D008024:Ligands; D010087:Oxides; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D011719:Pyrazines; D013792:Thalidomide; D000069286:Bortezomib; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide