Molecular genetics of myeloma

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a universally fatal disease characterized by the accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow [1]. It accounts for 2 % of all cancer deaths and 15 % of all hematologic malignancies, with about 13,000 deaths per year in the USA [2]. In most cases of MM, it is believed to be preceded by a pre-malignant clonal population of plasma cells called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), which is the most common lymphoid tumor in humans [3]. Despite some evidence of familial clustering, the effects of genetic background and environment remain to be clarified. Some early reports of MM risk genes are just emerging.