He Multiple myeloma (MM) is a complex and heterogeneous blood cancer that every September 5 commemorates its International Day worldwide.
Although there are no epidemiological analyzes in Spain, it is estimated that 3,000 new cases of multiple myeloma are diagnosed each year.
One number makes it the third most common blood cancer behind of:
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Lymphomas, with 10,000 cases
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Leukemias, with 6,000.
Multiple myeloma is caused by the malignant proliferation of plasma cellsa type of white blood cell whose job is to produce antibodies to fight infection.
But when These cells reproduce uncontrollably. they occupy the space reserved for the rest of the antibodies and prevent them from carrying out their immunization work.
This disease mainly affects people older than 65 years and represents 10% of all cases of blood cancer.
Multiple Myeloma Symptoms
Since the point some of the symptoms that can alert about the possible presence of this disease:
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Choking or difficulty breathing (dyspnea).
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Tiredness and weakness caused by anemia, which occurs because the proliferation of plasma cells crowds out normal cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets).
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Loss of appetite and weight.
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Bone pain and/or spontaneous fractures, caused by myeloma cells releasing substances that damage the bones causing osteoporosis.
In addition, from the SEHH they add that multiple myeloma can also cause:
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Kidney damage caused by the abnormal antibody it produces
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Infections, since myeloma prevents the production of normal antibodies to fight them.
For to diagnose For this disease, the most common tests carried out by specialists are:
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Blood and urine studies.
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Bone marrow aspirate.
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In the event that the patient registers bone problems, x-rays, magnetic resonances and computed tomography are performed.
Multiple treatments improve survival
For now, There is NO curative treatment for this disease..
When the pathology is diagnosed, the most common treatment is a combination of chemotherapy and autologous transplantation of hematopoietic progenitors.
As explained on the website, it is what has traditionally been called a bone marrow transplant, because these hematopoietic progenitor cells were always obtained from said marrow. But currently they are extracted in most cases from blood and, on occasions, from the umbilical cord and placenta.
These cells are normally found inside the bone marrow (especially in the hip bones, vertebrae and ribs), but sometimes their number increases in the circulating blood, so they can also be obtained through the veins. .
There is also, fortunately, a pharmaceutical arsenal designed to treat multiple myeloma patients who overall survival has improved. Currently there are up to 25,000 active cases under treatment.
In addition, “it is already possible to identify both high-risk patients and patients with very durable responses,” explains the Dr. Juan Jose Lahuertahematologist of (Madrid) and coordinator of the Spanish Myeloma Group, of the Spanish Program of Treatments in Hematology ().
National Multiple Myeloma Guide
With the aim of helping and supporting hematology professionals in Spain so that their patients with multiple myeloma are evaluated, monitored and treated homogeneously and in the best possible way, GEM-PETHEMA develops the .
This publication has the endorsement of the Spanish Society of Hematology and Hemotherapy (SEHH) and aims to:
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Reflect the current situation of the diagnosis and treatment of patients with MM in our country
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Establish recommendations to choose the most appropriate treatment in each case according to the available evidence
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Facilitate access to treatments throughout the hospital network, among other things,” says the expert.
new drugs
As stated in this guide, right now there is a large number of treatments for multiple myeloma that are in the testing and development process, “some of them will be available in the short and medium term,” says Lahuerta.
They stand out among them new drugssuch as selinexor, venetoclax, melflufen, or iberdomide
And advanced therapies, such as bispecific antibodies (BiTEs, bispecific T-cell engagers) and CAR-T therapies.
Both have shown similar response rates (between 70% and 80%, and even higher) in patients with multiple myeloma without other therapeutic alternatives.
And although the response duration is limited in this group of patients, there is no doubt that clinical trials in earlier phases will bring very important improvements to the outlook for the disease.