Pathophysiology of multiple myeloma bone disease

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2007 Dec;21(6):1035-49, viii. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2007.08.009.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell malignancy characterized by the frequent development of osteolytic bone lesions. The multiple myeloma-induced bone destruction is a result of the increased activity of osteoclasts that occurs adjacent to multiple myeloma cells. This activity is accompanied by suppressed osteoblast differentiation and activity, resulting in severely impaired bone formation and development of devastating osteolytic lesions. Recently the biologic mechanism involved in the imbalance between osteoclast activation and osteoblast inhibition induced by multiple myeloma cells has begun to be clarified. In this article, the pathophysiology underlying the imbalanced bone remodeling and potential new strategies for the treatment of bone disease in multiple myeloma are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Communication / physiology
  • Humans
  • Multiple Myeloma / complications
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma / physiopathology*
  • Osteoblasts / drug effects
  • Osteoblasts / physiology
  • Osteoclasts / physiology*
  • Osteolysis / etiology
  • Osteolysis / physiopathology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology