ADHESION OF MULTIPLE-MYELOMA CELLS TO THE BONE-MARROW MICROENVIRONMENT - IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES

Multiple myeloma is characterized by excess plasma cells within the bo ne marrow in association with monoclonal antibody protein in the serum and/or urine, Tumor cells localize within the marrow via an interacti on of cell-surface adhesion molecules with their respective ligands on marrow stromal cells and extracellular matrix proteins, Stimulation o f myeloma cells via these cell-surface molecules, either directly or v ia tumor cell adhesion to stromal cells, can induce autocrine or parac rine tumor cell growth mediated by interleukin 6, It might therefore b e possible to develop innovative treatment strategies either to inhibi t interleukin 6 production or to interrupt interleukin 6 signal transd uction in multiple myeloma.