This is a comprehensive, state-of-the-art guide to the diagnosis, treatment, and biology of multiple myeloma and related plasma disorders. Edited and written by a multidisciplinary group of recognized authorities from the Mayo Clinic, it presents clear guidelines on diagnosis and therapy and covers all aspects of multiple myeloma, from molecular classification and diagnosis, to risk stratification and therapy. Closely related plasma cell disorders such as solitary plasmacytoma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, and light chain amyloidosis are discussed in detail as well. The book addresses often overlooked topics, including the role of radiation therapy, vertebral augmentation, and supportive care. Our understanding of this group of disorders is developing at an unprecedented rate, and Multiple Myeloma meets the need among oncologists and hematologists for a clear, timely, and authoritative resource on their biology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Therapeutic options for patients with myeloma have dramatically changed over the past 10 years. Beginning with the advances in therapy resulting from the use of high-dose therapy and autologous bone marrow or stem cell tra- plant, we have more than doubled the median survival for patients as a whole, and have now have a wealth of different biology -based treatment approaches for our patients in all disease stages. This book represents state-of-the-art information from many of the leaders in the plasma cell disorders world. Sections focusing on disease pathogenesis and biology, chemotherapy-based approaches, immune -based therapies, currently approved novel agents, developing targets, supportive care, and other plasma cell disorders provides a comprehensive collection and an excellent resource in this time of rapid change in clinical and preclinical disease knowledge. It is important to realize that these changes did not occur in a vacuum. Partnerships between academic institutions, the pharmaceutical industry, patient advocacy groups, the National Cancer Institute, community onco- gists, and ultimately our patients worked closely together to realize these advances, and to effect the radical changes in therapy we have witnessed over the past few years. This book would not have been possible without contri- tions from each of the gifted scientists and clinicians who worked tirelessly to prepare their individual chapters all the while maintaining commitment to the scientific and clinical mission of advancing care.

This book provides the clinician with concise, practical guidance on risk stratification and therapeutic decision making in patients with multiple myeloma. In addition, the available clinical trial and research data are summarized into meaningful reviews and evidence-based recommendations for treatment are presented. The coverage encompasses all phases and forms of disease, including high-risk myeloma. Over recent decades, greater understanding of the biology of myeloma has fostered the development of new, more effective drugs, leading to remarkable improvements in survival. To continue this momentum, several recent prospective trials have aimed to identify further potential therapeutic targets or to evaluate various combinations of anti-myeloma agents. The increasing abundance of management options makes the decision making complex in different phases of the disease. This book will offer the clinician valuable assistance in the choice and sequencing of therapies, highlighting the need for a personalized approach that reflects the growing recognition that myeloma is not one uniform disease.

This handbook is an in-depth and comprehensive guide to the pathophysiology, diagnosis, staging, treatment and management of patients with multiple myeloma. The Handbook was commissioned to address an unmet need for a book of this kind in the myeloma field and to provide busy healthcare professionals with an informative and educational review of the current and emerging treatment recommendations for multiple myeloma. Myeloma is a type of bone marrow cancer arising from plasma cells and is the second most common form of bone marrow cancer, but represents just 1% of all cancers. The causes of myeloma are not fully understood but it is thought to be caused by an interaction of both genetic and environmental factors. This Handbook discusses these issues as well the latest developments in the field and will be an invaluable source of topical information for all healthcare professionals with an interest in multiple myeloma.

Since the original publication of Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: Clinical Research and Practice, Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSC) has undergone several fast-paced changes. In this second edition, the editors have focused on topics relevant to evolving knowledge in the field in order to better guide clinicians in decision-making and management of their patients, as well as help lead laboratory investigators in new directions emanating from clinical observations. Some of the most respected clinicians and scientists in this discipline have responded to the recent advances in the field by providing state-of-the-art discussions addressing these topics in the second edition. The text covers the scope of human genomic variation, the methods of HLA typing and interpretation of high-resolution HLA results. Comprehensive and up-to-date, Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: Clinical Research and Practice, Second Edition offers concise advice on today's best clinical practice and will be of significant benefit to all clinicians and researchers in allogeneic HSC transplantation.

Despite the advances in conventional, novel agent and high dose chemotherapy multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable. In order to overcome resistance to current therapies and improve patient outcome, novel biologically-based treatment approaches are being developed. Current translational research in MM focusing on the development of molecularly-based combination therapies has great promise to achieve high frequency and durable responses in the majority of patients. Two major advances are making this goal possible. First, recent advances in genomics and proteomics in MM have allowed for increased understanding of disease pathogenesis, identified novel therapeutic targets, allowed for molecular classification, and provided the scientific rationale for combining targeted therapies to increase tumor cell cytotoxicity and abrogate drug resistance. Second, there is now an increased understanding of how adhesion of MM cells in bone marrow (BM) further impacts gene expression in MM cells, as well as in BM stromal cells (BMSCs). As a result of these advances in oncogenomics on the one hand and increased understanding of the role of the BM in the pathogenesis of MM on the other, a new treatment paradigm targeting the tumor cell and its BM microenvironment to overcome drug resistance and improve patient outcome has now been developed. Thalidomide, lenalidomide, and Bortezomib are three agents which target the tumor cell in its microenvironment in both laboratory and animal models and which have rapidly translated from the bench to the bedside. Ongoing efforts are using oncogenomics and cell signaling studies to identify next generation of therapies in MM on the one hand, and to inform the design of combination trials on the other. This new paradigm for overcoming drug resistance and improving patient outcome in MM has great promise not only to change the natural history of MM, but also to serve as a model for targeted therapeutics directed to improve outcome of patients with MM.

Multiple myeloma is currently still an incurable disease, but during the past decade knowledge of its molecular pathogenesis has increased rapidly. This has led to remarkable progress in both diagnosis and therapy, including in particular the approval of novel and first-in-class drugs such as thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide. This book, written by internationally acknowledged experts, covers a wide range of topics relating to multiple myeloma, including history, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, staging, and prognostic systems. The principal focus, however, is on therapy, with detailed information on the various promising treatment options which give hope that this cancer will be transformed into a chronic disease or even become curable. Individualized therapy and the variety of supportive treatment options, as described in this volume, will help in achieving this goal, as well as in reducing adverse events and improving quality of life.