Title:Molecular Targets for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
Volume: 12
Issue: 7
Author(s): Marco Rossi, Maria Teresa Di Martino, Eugenio Morelli, Marzia Leotta, Antonietta Rizzo, Anna Grimaldi, Gabriella Misso, Pierfrancesco Tassone and Michele Caraglia
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Bone disease, epigenetic therapy, molecular pathway, monoclonal antibodies, multiple myeloma, target therapy, eIF-4E-binding protein 1, Aurora kinases, Chromosomal passenger complex, Disease free survival, Bone marrow stromal cells, B cell activating factor, Macrophage inflammatory Protein Immunomodulatory drugs.
Abstract: Multiple myeloma (MM) represents a suitable disease to be treated with Molecularly targeted drugs (MTDs).
MM clone aberrations affect signal transduction pathways controlling both proliferation and/or cell survival. Research
findings on small drugs or monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against the components of these pathways are now available and
related clinical trials in MM patients are rapidly growing up. Promising results have been recently obtained with AKT
inhibitors (perifosine) and mTOR inhibitors (everolimus and temsirolimus). However, the activity of these agents used
alone is still limited and can be strongly increased by their combination with other drugs such as bortezomib or
dexamethasone. The present review will summarize the main signaling components that can be targeted by MTDs and the
most important available results derived from the clinical trials based on their use. Another important issue in the
treatment of MM is the control of the related bone disease. Two main strategies can be used: i) inhibition of bone
resorption and ii) promotion of bone formation. Emerging clinical data suggest that specific MTDs are able to prolong
survival not only for the prevention of the skeletal-related events but also for a direct or indirect effect on the proliferation
and/or survival of MM cells. A summary on the main preclinical and clinical results in this setting will be provided. In
conclusion, the use of MTD in the treatment of MM is a promising approach but still far from becoming a current
indication: a new dawn is arising with still unpredictable results.
