title: An update on molecular biology and drug resistance mechanisms of multiple myeloma.
abstract: Multiple myeloma (MM), a neoplasm of plasma cells, is the second most common hematological malignancy. Incidance rates increase after age 40. MM is most commonly seen in men and African-American population. There are several factors to this, such as obesity, environmental factors, family history, genetic factors and monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS) that have been implicated as potentially etiologic. Development of MM involves a series of complex molecular events, including chromosomal abnormalities, oncogene activation and growth factor dysregulation. Chemotherapy is the most commonly used treatment strategy in MM. However, MM is a difficult disease to treat because of its marked resistance to chemotherapy. MM has been shown to be commonly multidrug resistance (MDR)-negative at diagnosis and associated with a high incidence of MDR expression at relapse. This review deals with the molecular aspects of MM, drug resistance mechanisms during treatment and also possible new applications for overcoming drug resistance.
authors.affiliation: Middle East Technical University, Central Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology R&D, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Pelin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mutlu
authors.affiliation: İzmir Institute of Technology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yağmur
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kiraz
authors.affiliation: Middle East Technical University, Department of Biological Sciences, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ufuk
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gündüz
authors.affiliation: İzmir Institute of Technology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İzmir, Turkey; Abdullah Gul University, Faculty of Life and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Kayseri, Turkey. Electronic address: ybaran@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Baran
mesh_terms: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
keywords: Drug resistance; Molecular aspects; Multiple myeloma; Targeted drug delivery