Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell neoplasm. MM-specific
alterations in methylation status cause gradual epigenetic changes and
lead to pre-MM disease states, such as Monoclonal Gammopathy of
Undetermined Significance (MGUS) and Smoldering MM (SMM). The
communication between MM cells and the bone marrow (BM) stromal cells
serves a pivotal role in MM development by supporting transformed cell
growth and proliferation. MM cells are known to modify the BM
microenvironment through secretion of exosomes, which enhances disease
progression by the induction of angiogenesis, immune suppression as well
as drug resistance. This form of intercellular communication is thought
to be mediated by several types of cargo molecules prevalent in
exosomes, including microRNAs (miRNAs). The main obstacle in the
treatment of MM is the difficulty in eliminating the residual cancer
cells. Even if there are multiple treatment options, none is curative,
and remissions have an unpredictable relapse onset. We attempt to
address the two hurdles in terms of the difficulty in predicting the
duration of remission and the challenge which currently remains out of
reach, treatment regiments which guarantee cancer-free bone marrow.