Novel targets and derived small molecule inhibitors in multiple myeloma

• Published in: Current cancer drug targets Vol. 12; no. 7; p. 797
• Main Author: Podar, Klaus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01.09.2012
• Subjects: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Bone Marrow - drug effects; Bone Marrow - metabolism; Clinical Trials as Topic; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Humans; Molecular Targeted Therapy - methods; Multiple Myeloma - drug therapy; Multiple Myeloma - metabolism; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• ISSN: 1873-5576
• DOI: 10.2174/156800912802429319

Recent research advances have defined a key role of the bone marrow (BM) in multiple myeloma (MM) pathogenesis thereby leading to new treatment paradigms, which aim to target both the tumor cell as well as its BM microenvironment. The incorporation of thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide into conventional cytotoxic and transplantation regimens in relapsed and refractory, but also in newly diagnosed MM has changed treatment options during the last decade. However, MM remains still incurable. Ongoing translational research aims to identify additional therapeutic targets and to design derived agents, predominantly small molecule inhibitors, with higher potency and less toxicity to further improve MM patient outcome and to overcome drug resistance.