Preclinical validation of interleukin 6 as a therapeutic target in multiple myeloma.
Studies on the biologic and molecular genetic underpinnings of multiple myeloma (MM) have identified the pleiotropic, pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), as a factor crucial to the growth, proliferation and survival of myeloma cells. IL-6 is also a potent stimulator of osteoclastogenesis and a sculptor of the tumor microenvironment in the bone marrow of patients with myeloma. This knowledge has engendered considerable interest in targeting IL-6 for therapeutic purposes, using a variety of antibody- and small-molecule-based therapies. However, despite the early recognition of the importance of IL-6 for myeloma and the steady progress in our knowledge of IL-6 in normal and malignant development of plasma cells, additional efforts will be required to translate the promise of IL-6 as a target for new myeloma therapies into significant clinical benefits for patients with myeloma. This review summarizes published research on the role of IL-6 in myeloma development and describes ongoing efforts by the University of Iowa Myeloma Multidisciplinary Oncology Group to develop new approaches to the design and testing of IL-6-targeted therapies and preventions of MM.
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Timothy R
TR
Rosean
Van S
VS
Tompkins
Guido
G
Tricot
Carol J
CJ
Holman
Alicia K
AK
Olivier
Fenghuang
F
Zhan
Siegfried
S
Janz
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D011173:Portraits as Topic; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6