Multiple Myeloma

Multiple Myeloma Multiple Myeloma is a form of cancer which affects the plasma cells of the body, which are white blood cells. Multiple Myeloma, first described in 1848, is a disease “characterized by a proliferation of malignant plasma cells and a subsequent overabundance of monoclonal paraprotein.” To understand how Multiple Myeloma affects an infected person’s plasma cells, it helps to have a general understanding of how normal blood cells are formed and how they act. Most blood cells develop from stem cells, which can be found in bone marrow (soft material inside our bones – the “filling”). Stem cells mature into white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets.2 The purpose of white blood cells is to fight off infection, while red blood cells carry oxygen and platelets aid in blood clotting, which controls bleeding. Plasma cells make antibodies, which are parts of the immune system and help the body protect itself from germs and other harmful substances (Exhibit 1).2 Myeloma begins when a plasma cell begins dividing uncontrollably, which sets off a chain reaction of abnormal cell divisions. These abnormal plasma cells are called myeloma cells. Eventually, there is a large buildup of myeloma cells in the bone marrow, potentially damaging the outer, solid part of the bone. The reason the disease is called multiple myeloma because it usually affects several bones in any given infected person. The myeloma cells, instead of creating the normal antibodies, create M proteins, which can collect in the urine, blood, or even in organs as blood spreads it throughout the body (Exhibit 2).2 Whether or not Multiple Myeloma has genetics roots which are traceable is still up for debate, but there isn’t much evidence to suggest that there is a genetic component in multiple myeloma diagnoses. A research study done by the Centre for Haematological Oncology at The General Infirmary at Leeds in England looked at 23 patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The

Cited: 1. Sarah J. Grenthlein, MD. Multiple Myeloma. October 4, 2010. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/204369-overview (accessed 11.17.2010). 2. MedicineNet. Multiple Myeloma. 2010. http://www.medicinenet.com/multiple_myeloma/article.htm#1whatis (accessed 11.8.2010). 4. National Center for Biotechnology Information. The p53 Tumor Suppressor Protein. 2008. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=gnd&part=thep53tumorsuppressorprotein (accessed 11 19, 2010). 7. GeneCards. Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1. 2009. http://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=Socs1 (accessed November 10, 2010). 8. GenWay. SOCS1 Anitbody. 2010. http://www.genwaybio.com/product_info.php?products_id=43725 (accessed November 20, 2010). 10. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Gene Expression Signatures of High Risk MGUS to Multiple Myeloma. March 9, 2009. http://www.ibridgenetwork.org/uams/micro-array-screening (accessed November 21, 2010).