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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Interphase Fluorescence in situ Hybridization of Bone Marrow Smears of Multiple Myeloma
Published on: April 15, 2022
Cancer stem cells in multiple myeloma.
Nilanjan Ghosh1, William Matsui
1Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Department of Oncology and The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
Multiple myeloma research reveals cancer stem cells share traits with normal stem cells, like drug resistance. This supports the cancer stem cell hypothesis and suggests new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Cancer Biology
- Stem Cell Research
Background:
- Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells.
- The cancer stem cell hypothesis suggests a small population of cells drives tumor growth.
- Understanding these cells is crucial for effective cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence supporting the cancer stem cell hypothesis in multiple myeloma.
- To discuss the unique biology of multiple myeloma stem cells.
- To explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting these cells.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on clonogenic cells in multiple myeloma.
- Analysis of biological features shared between malignant progenitors and normal stem cells.
- Discussion of controversies regarding the cell of origin.
Main Results:
- Cancer cells in multiple myeloma can be functionally heterogeneous despite genetic homogeneity.
- Malignant progenitors exhibit biological similarities to normal adult stem cells, including drug resistance and self-renewal regulation.
- Evidence supports the existence and unique biology of cancer stem cells in multiple myeloma.
Conclusions:
- The study of multiple myeloma provides strong support for the cancer stem cell hypothesis.
- Cancer stem cells in multiple myeloma possess distinct biological characteristics that can be targeted.
- Further research into targeting these cells may lead to novel therapeutic approaches for multiple myeloma.
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10:04Establishment of a Human Multiple Myeloma Xenograft Model in the Chicken to Study Tumor Growth, Invasion and Angiogenesis
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