title: Targeting the bone microenvironment in multiple myeloma.
abstract: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy characterized by the frequent development of osteolytic lesions, osteopenia, pathological fractures, and/or severe bone pain. In the past few years several potential factors involved in this process have been identified and, with the increased knowledge of the signaling pathways involved in the regulation of normal osteoblast and osteoclast function, have provided us with a better understanding of the contributions of the marrow microenvironment to MM bone disease. These studies have identified several potential novel targets for treating MM bone disease in addition to the current standard treatment of bisphosphonates. In this article, we discuss several potential targets for treating MM bone disease as well as novel therapies that are in clinical trials for these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine/Hematology-Oncology, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA. Roodmangd@upmc.edu
authors.forename: G David
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Roodman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000517:prevention & control; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects