Macrophages are a vital component of the tumour microenvironment and crucial mediators of tumour progression. In the last decade, significant strides have been made in understanding the crucial functional roles played by macrophages in the development of the plasma cell (PC) malignancy, multiple myeloma (MM). Whilst the interaction between MM PC and stromal cells within the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment has been extensively studied, we are only just starting to appreciate the multifaceted roles played by macrophages in disease progression. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that macrophage infiltration is associated with poor overall survival in MM. Indeed, macrophages influence numerous pathways critical for the initiation and progression of MM, including homing of malignant cells to BM, tumour cell growth and survival, drug resistance, angiogenesis and immune suppression. As such, therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting macrophages within the BM niche have promise in the clinical setting. This review will discuss the functions elicited by macrophages throughout different stages of MM and provide a comprehensive evaluation of potential macrophage-targeted therapies.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10555-020-09943-1 | DOI Listing |
Hematol Oncol
January 2025
Babak Myeloma Group, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell malignancy characterized by an abnormal increase in monoclonal immunoglobulins. Despite significant advances in treatment, some patients progress to more aggressive forms of multiple myeloma, including extramedullary disease or plasma cell leukemia. Although the exact molecular mechanisms are not known, several studies have confirmed the involvement of small extracellular vesicle-enriched microRNAs in multiple myeloma progression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Department of Internal Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, TUR.
Introduction Multiple myeloma (MM) is a complex plasma cell malignancy characterized by clonal proliferation and monoclonal immunoglobulin production. Despite the availability of several prognostic markers for MM, many are challenging to implement routine clinical practice due to cost, complexity, or lack of standardization. Red cell distribution width (RDW), a cost-effective and routinely measured parameter in complete blood counts, has gained increasing attention as a prognostic marker due to its association with disease severity and outcomes in MM.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Hematology Oncology, Miami Cancer Institute, Miami, USA.
Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) often experience infections due to aberrant immunoglobulin production by malignant plasma cells and immunosuppressive therapeutic interventions that are used to treat the condition. A rare but serious infection that may occur in these patients is Cryptococcus, an encapsulated fungus that typically infects immunocompromised individuals. Cryptococcus infections often present as pneumonia but can disseminate to the central nervous system, potentially causing meningitis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Blood Med
January 2025
Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multi-system disease characterized by a dysregulated immune system. Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) is the only treatment that has been shown to confer significant benefit in controlling disease and improving survival for patients with SSc. A diagnosis of multiple myeloma (MM) after the diagnosis of SSc is rare and optimal treatment in such cases remains unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Adv Pract Oncol
July 2024
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
Background: Although advancements in multiple myeloma therapy have rapidly evolved, pervasive racial and social inequities prevent uniform benefit across diverse patient populations. This affects access to US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments and to clinical studies. The impact of health-care inequities is not well understood and thus, the development of effective strategies is inadequate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!