Multiple myeloma treatment by osteoblast suppression described

06-29-2006

"Multiple myeloma is the most common form of plasma cell dyscrasia and virtually all cases of myeloma exhibit osteolytic lesions, which result in bone pain, pathological fractures, spinal cord compression, and hypercalcaemia. Malignant plasma cells disrupt the delicate balance between bone formation and bone resorption, which ultimately leads to the debilitating osteolytic lesions," researchers in the United States reported.

"This review focuses principally on mechanisms of osteoblast inhibition by malignant plasma cells with emphasis placed on our experimental findings, which support a model for abnormal Wnt signaling in osteoblast suppression. We describe how excessive amounts of soluble Wnt inhibitors secreted by malignant plasma cells in multiple myeloma could promote osteolytic lesions, tumor growth, suppress hematopoiesis, prevent proper engraftment, and expansion of transplanted stem cells," explained J.P. Stewart and colleagues, University of Arkansas Medical Science.

The researchers concluded, "Finally, we detail current therapies shown to disrupt the interaction between the myeloma cell and the microenvironment, leading to activation of osteoblasts."

Stewart and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (Role of osteoblast suppression in multiple myeloma. J Cell Biochem, 2006;98(1):1-13).

For additional information, contact J.D. Shaughnessy, University of Arkansas Medical Science, Myeloma Institute Research & Therapy, Donna D & Donald M Lambert Laboratory Myeloma Genetics, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry is: Wiley-Liss, Division John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA.

Keywords: Little Rock, Arkansas, United States, DKKI, FRZB, Hematopoiesis, Multiple Myeloma, Neurology, Oncology, Osteoblast Suppression, Osteoclast, Cancer Therapy, Wnt Singaling.

This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.