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An Organotypic High Throughput System for Characterization of Drug Sensitivity of Primary Multiple Myeloma Cells
Published on: July 15, 2015
Myeloma Propagating Cells, Drug Resistance and Relapse
Anastasios Karadimitris1,2, Aristeidis Chaidos1,2, Valentina Caputo1
1Centre for Haematology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable tumor of the plasma cells, the terminally differentiated immunoglobulin secreting B lineage cells. The genetic make-up of MM has been extensively characterized but its impact on the biology of the disease is incomplete without more precise knowledge of the identity and functional role of cells with multiple myeloma propagating activity (MMPA). We review here recent data that link MMPA with myeloma clonotypic populations organized in a cellular hierarchy that mirrors normal B cell development and also with drug resistance and disease relapse. We further propose a conceptual framework which, with optimal use of recent technological advances in genomics and phenomics, could allow dissection of the cellular and molecular properties of cells with MMPA, drug resistance and in vivo relapse in an integrated and patient-specific manner. There is real hope that these approaches will significantly contribute to further improvements in disease control, overall survival, and possibly cure of patients with MM.
Insights
Multiple myeloma (MM) research identifies cells with myeloma-propagating activity (MMPA) linked to disease relapse and drug resistance. New strategies aim to characterize these cells for better MM treatment and patient survival.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Hematology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy.
- Understanding the cells driving MM (myeloma-propagating activity, MMPA) is crucial for improving outcomes.
- Current knowledge of MM genetics lacks a complete picture of MMPA's biological role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on MMPA in multiple myeloma.
- To explore the link between MMPA, cellular hierarchy, drug resistance, and relapse.
- To propose a framework for dissecting MMPA properties using advanced technologies.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on multiple myeloma and MMPA.
- Analysis of data linking MMPA to myeloma clonotypic populations and disease progression.
- Conceptual framework development integrating genomics and phenomics.
Main Results:
- MMPA is associated with myeloma clonotypic populations organized in a hierarchy similar to normal B cell development.
- MMPA is linked to drug resistance and disease relapse in multiple myeloma.
- Recent technological advances offer new possibilities for MMPA characterization.
Conclusions:
- Dissecting the cellular and molecular properties of MMPA is essential for understanding MM.
- An integrated, patient-specific approach using genomics and phenomics is proposed.
- These strategies hold promise for improving MM disease control, survival, and potential cure.
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