Multiple Myeloma

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Multiple Myeloma: Fast Facts

• Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon cancer that occurs when the body creates too many abnormal plasma cells, also known as myelomas. Plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that lives in bone marrow, play a key role in helping the body's immune system fight disease because they are responsible for making antibodies, the molecules that counteract infections.
• Multiple myeloma primarily strikes the elderly, with more than two-thirds of diagnoses belonging to people older than 65. The disease is also more common in African Americans.
• Bone pain, anemia, fatigue, and more frequent infections are traits of multiple myeloma.
• Once deadly, multiple myeloma has become more manageable through innovative new therapies.

Read more about treatment options for multiple myeloma at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. »

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Multiple Myeloma: Some of Our Key Research

Transforming multiple myeloma treatment
Multiple myeloma cannot be cured using conventional chemotherapy, which has led to the use of new drugs—including multiple-drug chemotherapies—and transplant procedures.

• In the late 1990s, Dr. Rainer Storb and colleagues pioneered the development of a radically different approach to bone-marrow transplantation that offers hope for older or otherwise medically unfit blood-cancer patients whose bodies cannot withstand the rigors of a conventional transplant. Unlike traditional bone-marrow transplantation, this treatment—called the non-myeloablative stem-cell transplant or "mini" transplant—does not wipe out bone marrow and involves minimal doses of radiation. That means patients do not lose their hair or experience severe nausea or other side effects, and the procedure typically can be performed without a hospital stay. Learn more. »

Listen to a Webcast with Dr. Rainer Storb. »

• A team led by Dr. William Bensinger has been investigating novel approaches to improve the results of high-dose chemotherapy that precedes an infusion of the myeloma patient's own stem cells, known as an autologous transplant.
  
  One strategy uses a cell-protecting agent called amifostine to shield the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract from the damaging effects of melphalan, which is recognized as one of the most effective chemotherapeutic drugs for treating myeloma. This technique allows for the patient to receive very high doses of melphalan. Bensinger is also investigating new drugs for use in myeloma patients whose disease recurs. These drugs include the monoclonal antibodies HCM122 and elotuzumab, the second-generation proteosome inhibitor Carfilzomib, and the telomerase inhibitor GRN163L.

Listen to a Webcast with Dr. William Bensinger. »

• Research led by Dr. David Maloney has suggested that a multistep treatment approach may be able to improve survival rates for people with multiple myeloma. Maloney's work showed that patients experienced fewer ill effects if they received standard high-dose chemotherapy and a transplant using the patient's own stem cells, followed by a lower-intensity transplant procedure, in which the patient undergoes low-dose radiation followed by an infusion of stem cells from a matched brother or sister. The success of this approach relies on the cancer-fighting properties of the sibling-donated cells. Learn more. »

Keeping cancer away after treatment
One major obstacle for any cancer patient who receives an autologous transplantation for myeloma—that is, an infusion of stem cells harvested from his or her own body—is keeping the cancer away afterward.

Dr. Leona Holmberg and colleagues have been investigating ways to improve the patient’s response to autologous stem-cell transplants by adding what is known as maintenance therapy after the transplant. This therapy involves biological modifiers, immune stimulators and chemotherapy.

By adding maintenance therapy to standard high-dose autologous transplantation regimens, Holmberg and colleagues aim to reduce the relapse rate and improve survival.

Listen to a Webcast with Dr. Leona Holmberg. »

Learn more about our multiple-myeloma investigators:
William Bensinger »
Leona Holmberg »
David Maloney »

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Multiple Myeloma: More Resources

• Every advance in cancer treatment in recent years has come out of clinical trials that test innovative medical approaches on patients. Find out more about clinical trials on multple myeloma. »

• The Hutchinson Center also conducts ongoing cancer-prevention studies that depend on participation of healthy volunteers. Learn more about getting involved in research studies. » 

• In need of medical attention for multiple myeloma? Visit the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to get help. »

• The Hutchinson Center is on a mission to eliminate cancer and related diseases as causes of human suffering and death, and you can help. Make a gift today. »

 

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