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Multiple myeloma is a rare blood cancer characterised by the proliferation of bone marrow plasma cells. The risk of multiple myeloma increases with age, and is more frequent in people over 65 years of age, people with a family history of multiple myeloma, and African Americans. International studies have reported higher incidence and mortality in men, and associations with radiation exposure and excess body fatness. Typical myeloma‐defining events at diagnosis include hypercalcaemia, renal failure, anaemia, and bone lesions, all of which can cause end‐organ damage and high morbidity. The treatment and management of multiple myeloma has advanced in recent decades; people with multiple myeloma are now likely to receive multiple lines of chemotherapy, with or without stem cell transplants. Novel treatment agents include second generation protease inhibitors, second generation immunomodulators, and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies. Survival has consequently improved for people diagnosed with multiple myeloma, leading to longer duration of active treatment. Multiple myeloma, however, remains incurable.

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Authors: Qingwei Luo, Deanne Jenkin, Marianne F Weber, Julia Steinberg, Kate White, Adam Irving, Hannah Rillstone, Anna Kelly, Karen Canfell and Eleonora Feletto

Article Type: Research