Autophagy and Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a hematological malignancy. It is characterized by the abnormal clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow and the secretion of a large number of monoclonal immunoglobulins or light chains, causing bone destruction, elevated blood calcium levels, anemia, and renal dysfunction. Autophagy has a dual role in the autophagy of myeloma cells. On the one hand, autophagy eliminates abnormal proteins and organelles in cells, prevents gene damage, and inhibits tumorigenesis. On the other hand, once tumors are formed, tumor cells use autophagy to ensure their survival under nutrient-deficient and hypoxic conditions. Excessive autophagy promotes another form of death in tumor cells, autophagic cell death. Targeted autophagy is becoming another new myeloma treatment strategy.