Current Trends in Multiple Myeloma Management

Abstract

Treatment of multiple myeloma, a B-cell cancer, is usually palliative, however, as a result of intensive clinical research there are numerous new treatment options available today. The present review summarizes non-transplant treatment options for multiple myeloma on the basis of available publications. Treatment with new substances, such as immunomodulatory agents, farnesyl transferase inhibitors and apoptosis stimulators, and their mechanisms of action are discussed. In addition to this systematic review of the available evidence on multiple myeloma therapy we have also summarized current recommendations from national and international organizations on aspects of the treatment of multiple myeloma. This should enable readers to see different points of view at a glance and, hopefully, will provide a basis for translation of the available evidence into the best possible therapy.

Exploiting the mevalonate pathway to distinguish statin-sensitive multiple myeloma

“…[17][18][19][20][21] MM is a plasma cell malignancy with a median survival time of 5 to 10 years despite the use of high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantations. 22,23 As such, there is an urgent need for advances in both molecular diagnosis and treatments. Novel therapeutics are currently under investigation in MM, but most, with the recent exceptions of bortezomib, thalidomide, and lenalidomide, have yet to show substantial efficacy and will require considerable preclinical and toxicity testing.…”

Effects of Recombinant Human Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Its Combination with Native Human Leukocyte Interferon-α on P3-X63- Ag8.653 Mouse Myeloma Cell Growth

“…Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant B-cell disease, characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of differentiated plasma cells in bone marrow (BM), osteolytic bone lesions, monoclonal protein peaks in serum or urine and suppression of normal antibody production. Patients with MM usually present with a number of clinical signs and symptoms, including fatigue, infection, severe bone pain, bone fractures, hypercalcaemia, and renal disease (Bommert et al, 2006;Raman et al, 2007;Redzepovic et al, 2008). Despite clinical responses produced by conventional chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and an increasing number of new compounds and improvements in supportive therapy, MM remains largely incurable (Katzel et al, 2007;Ozdemir et al, 2004;Redzepovic et al, 2008).…”