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Ratio Of Interleukin Proteins Linked To Progression-Free Survival In Myeloma Patients – Chinese researchers have recently found that a higher ratio of the proteins IL-27 to IL-17 in the bone marrow of multiple myeloma patients may be associated with longer progression-free survival. IL-27 and IL-17 belong to a class of proteins known as interleukins that are produced by immune cells. Interleukins play an important role in orchestrating immune responses against microbes and cancer cells. In the current study, the researchers measured the levels of these proteins in bone marrow and blood samples from myeloma patients and healthy individuals. They found that the ratio of IL-27 to IL-17 was significantly lower in the bone marrow of newly diagnosed myeloma patients, compared to healthy counter­parts. Further analysis showed that, among myeloma patients, an increased ratio of IL-27 to IL-17 in the bone marrow was associated with longer progression-free survival. For more information, please see the study in Leukemia Research (abstract).

New Measure Of Chromosomal Instability May Be A Prognostic Tool For Myeloma – In a recent study, researchers from Singapore show that a new measure of chromosomal instability that takes into account both deletions and extra copies of chromosomal regions may be a useful prognostic tool in multiple mye­loma. Chromosomal abnormalities, such as changes in the numbers or structure of chromosomes (genetic material), are often seen in myeloma cells. The researchers used data from more than 1,000 newly diag­nosed myeloma patients who had received stem cell transplants and patients with relapsed disease who had been treated with Velcade (bortezomib). An analysis of these data showed that patients with a higher value of chromosomal instability showed poorer survival. For more information, please see the study in PLoS ONE.

Erythropoietin May Promote Blood Vessel Formation In Myeloma Patients – Results from a recent Italian study suggest that treatment of multiple myeloma patients with erythropoietin stimulates macrophages to promote blood vessel formation. This effect of erythropoietin could be detrimental to myeloma patients, since growth of blood vessels often strengthens cancer cells by providing better access to nutrients. Erythro­poietin is a hormone produced by the kidneys that promotes the generation of red blood cells. Many mye­lo­ma patients suffer from anemia (low red blood cell counts) and are treated with erythropoietin. In the Italian study, the researchers found that erythropoietin also affects a type of immune cell called macro­phages. Their results show that erythropoietin stimulates macrophages to produce a number of fac­tors that promote blood vessel formation. Macrophages from myeloma patients were also more sensitive to erythropoietin as compared to macrophages from patients with the myeloma precursor monoclonal gam­mop­a­thy of un­de­ter­mined significance. For more information, please see the study in Angiogenesis (abstract).