[Role of Biology Based on Epigenetics in Multiple Myeloma]

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant tumor, characterized by dysplasia of clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow secreting large amounts of monoclonal immunoglobulin or fragments (M protein), resulting in damage in relevant organs or tissues. The biological complexity of MM is based on disrupted cancer pathways. Except the central role of cytogenetic abnormalities, epigenetic aberrations have also been shown to be involved in the occurrence and development of MM. Epigenetics of MM is mainly concentrated in the ways of DNA methylation, histone modifications and noncoding RNA, which have generated abnormal signaling pathways to regulate cell cycle and apoptosis of MM. In this article, advances of research on epigenetics of development, clinical diagnosis and treatments of MM are reviewed.