title: The genetic architecture of multiple myeloma.
abstract: Based on the clinical features of myeloma and related malignancies of plasma cells, it has been possible to generate a model system of myeloma progression from a normal plasma cell through smouldering myeloma to myeloma and then plasma cell leukaemia. Using this model system we can study at which points the genetic alterations identified through whole-tumour molecular analyses function in the initiation and progression of myeloma. Further genetic complexity, such as intraclonal heterogeneity, and insights into the molecular evolution and intraclonal dynamics in this model system are crucial to our understandings of tumour progression, treatment resistance and the use of currently available and future treatments.
authors.affiliation: Haemato-oncology Research Unit, Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital, 15 Cotswold Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK. gareth.morgan@icr.ac.uk
authors.forename: Gareth J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Faith E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D060965:Clonal Evolution; D018450:Disease Progression; D018740:Genetic Heterogeneity; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor