Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0026764 (multiple myeloma)
 36,148 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A 72-year-old woman with a history of early breast cancer suffered a fracture of the eighth thoracic vertebra resulting in paraplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed spinal cord compression by a tumor between the ninth and tenth thoracic vertebrae. Local radiotherapy was begun under the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, but bone marrow aspiration and biopsy subsequently revealed plasma-cell proliferation rather than adenocarcinoma. This case report serves to demonstrate that clinicians should consider multiple myeloma as a cause of lytic bone lesions without extraskeletal metastases even in patients with a history of breast cancer.
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PMID:Multiple myeloma mimicking bone metastasis from breast cancer: report of a case. 987 55

Although multiple myeloma remains incurable, several drug therapies are valuable in the management of patients suffering from this condition. Interferon-alpha2b and prednisone are two agents that have been shown to modestly prolong disease-free survival when each is used as monotherapy and when used in combination. Bone resorption and anemia are among several complications that adversely affect health and quality of life in patients with multiple myeloma. Bone resorption leads to skeletal complications, such as pathologic fractures, pain, spinal cord compression, and hypercalcemia. Bisphosphonates are specific inhibitors of osteoclastic activity that can be used to treat bone resorption. Intravenous pamidronate is effective in preventing skeletal complications and also may exert a direct inhibitory effect on myeloma cells. Exogenous epoetin alfa is helpful in treating more than half of patients with anemia during the plateau state of multiple myeloma. Overall, the management of patients with multiple myeloma is complex and should focus on the treatment of the disease process and the associated complications.
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PMID:Maintenance therapy and supportive care for patients with multiple myeloma. 1052 93

Metastatic bone disease develops as a result of the many interactions between tumor cells and bone cells. This leads to disruption of normal bone metabolism, with the increased osteoclast activity seen in most, if not all, tumor types providing a rational target for treatment. The clinical course of metastatic bone disease in multiple myeloma, breast and prostate cancers is relatively long, with patients experiencing sequential skeletal complications over a period of several years. These include bone pain, fractures, hypercalcemia, and spinal cord compression, all of which may profoundly impair a patient's quality of life. External beam radiotherapy and systemic endocrine and cytotoxic treatments are the mainstay of treatment in advanced cancers. However, it is now clear that the bisphosphonates provide an additional treatment strategy, which reduces both the symptoms and complications of bone involvement. Additionally, new specific molecules such as osteoprotogerin have been developed that are based on our improved understanding of the cellular signaling mechanisms involved in cancer-induced bone disease. These potent molecules are now entering clinical trials. Ongoing research is aimed at trying to define the optimum route, dose, schedule and type of bisphosphonate in metastatic bone disease and its use in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in cancer patients. In vitro suggestions of direct anticancer activity and some promising clinical data in early breast cancer have resulted in considerable interest in the possible adjuvant use of bisphosphonates to inhibit the development of bone metastases.
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PMID:Management of bone metastases. 1111 May 97

Metastatic bone disease develops as a result of the many interactions between tumour cells and bone cells. This leads to disruption of normal bone metabolism, with the increased osteoclast activity seen in most, if not all, tumor types providing a rational target for treatment. The clinical course of metastatic bone disease in multiple myeloma, breast and prostate cancers is relatively long, with patients experiencing sequential skeletal complications over a period of several years. These include bone pain, fractures, hypercalcaemia, and spinal cord compression, all of which may profoundly impair a patient's quality of life. External beam radiotherapy and systemic endocrine and cytotoxic treatments are the mainstay of treatment in advanced cancers. However, it is now clear that the bisphosphonates provide an additional treatment strategy, which reduces both the symptoms and complications of bone involvement. Pamidronate (Aredia(TM)) is the most widely evaluated bisphosphonate and is recommended for most patients with multiple myeloma or breast cancer with bone metastases. Current research aims include the evaluation of new potent bisphosphonates such as zoledronic acid (Zometa(TM)). It is hoped that this compound is not only more convenient and easier to administer but also more effective in inhibiting skeletal morbidity. Zometa may also have some direct anticancer activity. Preclinical studies with Zometa have demonstrated its potential in malignant bone disease. Clinical studies in treatment of hypercalcemia of malignancy have been completed, as have Phase I and II trials in patients with cancer and pre-existing bone metastases. Three randomized, double-blind, controlled Phase III trials are now ongoing to establish the efficacy and safety of Zometa in treatment of bone metastases in patients with osteolytic and osteoblastic lesions. Additionally, new specific molecules such as osteoprotogerin have been developed that are based on our improved understanding of the cellular signalling mechanisms involved in cancer induced bone disease. These potent molecules are now entering clinical trials. Ongoing research is aimed at trying to define the optimum route, dose, schedule and type of bisphosphonate in metastatic bone disease and their use in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in cancer patients. In vitro suggestions of direct anti-cancer activity and some promising clinical data in early breast cancer have resulted in considerable interest in the possible adjuvant use of bisphosphonates to inhibit the development of bone metastases.
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PMID:Optimising treatment of bone metastases by Aredia(TM) and Zometa(TM). 1111 66

In the diagnosis of multiple myeloma (MM), the clinician must exclude other disorders in which a plasma cell reaction may occur such as rheumatoid arthritis and connective tissue disorders, or metastatic carcinoma where the patient may have osteolytic lesions associated with bone metastases. Patients with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) have none of the complicating features of MM and do not require treatment with potentially toxic agents. The plasma cell labeling index can help make a differential diagnosis of MM from SMM. Patients with a high labeling index have a high risk of complications and should be monitored carefully. However, the labeling index can be low in active MM. In addition, SMM or MGUS patients have few or no circulating plasma cells. High-dose chemotherapy and stem cell support prolong overall survival in contrast to conventional therapy. If stem cell transplantation is considered, it is important to harvest the cells before using alkylating agents to obtain a sufficient number of cells. Supportive treatment consists of the occasional use of erythropoietin to maintain adequate hemoglobin levels and adequate hydration to protect renal function. Vaccination against pneumococcal infections and the prophylactic use of antibiotic therapy during the first 2 months of treatment can be beneficial. Recognizing the symptoms of spinal cord compression and initiating dexamethasone therapy promptly to prevent paraplegia are critical.
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PMID:Multiple Myeloma. Diagnostic challenges and standard therapy. 1130 3

Metastatic bone disease develops as a result of the many interactions between tumour cells and bone cells. This leads to disruption of normal bone metabolism, with the increased osteoclast activity seen in most, if not all, tumour types providing a rational target for treatment. The clinical course of metastatic bone disease in multiple myeloma, breast and prostate cancers is relatively long, with patients experiencing sequential skeletal complications over a period of several years. These include bone pain, fractures, hypercalcaemia and spinal cord compression, all of which may profoundly impair a patient's quality of life. External beam radiotherapy and systemic endocrine and cytotoxic treatments are the mainstay of treatment in advanced cancers. However, it is now clear that the bisphosphonates provide an additional treatment strategy, which reduces both the symptoms and complications of bone involvement. Ongoing research is aimed at trying to define the optimum route, dose, schedule and type of bisphosphonate in metastatic bone disease and in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in cancer patients. In vitro suggestions of direct anticancer activity and some promising clinical data in early breast cancer have resulted in considerable interest in the possible adjuvant use of bisphosphonates to inhibit the development of bone metastases.
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PMID:Metastatic bone disease: clinical features, pathophysiology and treatment strategies. 1141 67

Not all patients who fulfill the minimal criteria for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma should be treated. If a patient is younger than 70 years, autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation should be seriously considered. Major challenges for stem cell transplantation are: 1) the inability to eradicate multiple myeloma from the patient, and 2) removal of myeloma cells and their precursors from the reinfused stem cells. Allogeneic transplantation cannot be recommended at present because of the excessive mortality. Nonmyeloablative approaches are promising. There is no evidence that combinations of alkylating agents are superior to melphalan and prednisone. The use of thalidomide and intermittently administered prednisone for maintenance is being explored. New agents include the immunomodulatory drugs, inhibitors of the ubiquitin proteasone pathway such as PS-341, antiangiogenesis drugs including 2-methoxy-estradiol, and farnesyl transferase inhibitors. Management of skeletal complications, hypercalcemia, anemia, infection, spinal cord compression, and renal insufficiency is discussed.
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PMID:Current therapy of multiple myeloma. 1192 76

Spinal cord compression as an initial manifestation of multiple myeloma is a well-known phenomenon. We report for the first time a patient with spinal cord compression of dual etiology, multiple myeloma and spinal tuberculosis, treated successfully by local radiotherapy, chemotherapy and an antituberculous regimen.
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PMID:Spinal cord compression of dual etiology, multiple myeloma and spinal tuberculosis. 1199 81

The major clinical manifestations of multiple myeloma are related to the loss of bone. This bone loss often leads to pathologic fractures, spinal cord compression, hypercalcemia, and bone pain. This article reviews the cytokine network involved in myeloma bone disease; describes the signaling cascade involved in osteoclastogenesis and mechanisms of action of novel therapeutic options for myeloma bone disease such as osteoprotegerin, RANK human immunoglobulin fusion protein, the proteasome inhibitor PS-341, and bisphosphonates; and summarizes the latest clinical trial results using oral and intravenous bisphosphonates for bone disease in multiple myeloma.
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PMID:Advances in the biology and treatment of myeloma bone disease. 1252 Apr 79

Prostate cancer often metastasizes to bone during disease progression. Patients who develop bone metastases have a high risk of developing skeletal complications, including pathologic fractures, spinal cord compression, and severe bone pain. Bisphosphonate therapy is widely used for the prevention of skeletal complications in patients with bone lesions from multiple myeloma and breast cancer. Until recently, however, no bisphosphonate had ever shown objective clinical benefit in patients with prostate cancer and osteoblastic bone lesions. A recent multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial found zoledronic acid (4 mg) to be a safe and effective therapy in patients with bone metastases from hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Zoledronic acid significantly reduced the proportion of patients who experienced skeletal complications and extended the time to first skeletal complication. Further, zoledronic acid significantly reduced the risk of skeletal complications over this 15-month study and provided consistent reductions in bone pain that were significant at the 3- and 9-month time points compared with placebo. These results suggest that zoledronic acid may become an important advancement in the care of patients with prostate cancer metastatic to bone. The role of zoledronic acid in the treatment of patients with prostate cancer continues to evolve.
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PMID:Treatment of bone complications in advanced prostate cancer: rationale for bisphosphonate use and results of a phase III trial with zoledronic acid. 1258 91


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