Immunotherapy strategies in multiple myeloma

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2014 Oct;28(5):927-43. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2014.07.002.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B-cell malignancy characterized by the clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow and the development of osteolytic bone lesions. MM has emerged as a paradigm within the cancers for the success of drug discovery and translational medicine. This article discusses immunotherapy as an encouraging option for the goal of inducing effective and long-lasting therapeutic outcome. Divided into two distinct approaches, passive or active, immunotherapy, which targets tumor-associated antigens has shown promising results in multiple preclinical and clinical studies.

Keywords: Active-specific immunotherapy; Multiple myeloma; Passive-specific immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Immunotherapy / trends
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology*
  • Multiple Myeloma / therapy*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / methods
  • Transplantation, Autologous
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Cancer Vaccines