Reconstructing the evolutionary history of multiple myeloma

Best Pract Res Clin Haematol. 2020 Mar;33(1):101145. doi: 10.1016/j.beha.2020.101145. Epub 2020 Jan 11.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma is the second most common lymphoproliferative disorder, characterized by aberrant expansion of monoclonal plasma cells. In the last years, thanks to novel next generation sequencing technologies, multiple myeloma has emerged as one of the most complex hematological cancers, shaped over time by the activity of multiple mutational processes and by the acquisition of key driver events. In this review, we describe how whole genome sequencing is emerging as a key technology to decipher this complexity at every stage of myeloma development: precursors, diagnosis and relapsed/refractory. Defining the time windows when driver events are acquired improves our understanding of cancer etiology and paves the way for early diagnosis and ultimately prevention.

Keywords: Driver events; Multiple myeloma; Timing; Whole genome sequencing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aneuploidy
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Chromothripsis*
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Genome, Human*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods
  • Humans
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma / genetics*
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology
  • Multiple Myeloma / mortality
  • Mutation*
  • Neoplasm, Residual
  • Plasma Cells / drug effects
  • Plasma Cells / immunology
  • Plasma Cells / pathology
  • Recurrence
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Whole Genome Sequencing / methods