Cytogenetic Alterations in Multiple Myeloma: Prognostic Significance and the Choice of Frontline Therapy

Abstract

Multiple myeloma tumor cells demonstrate multiple and often complex genetic lesions as evaluated by standard cytogenetic/FISH studies. Over the past decade, specific abnormalities have been associated with standard or high-risk clinical behavior and they have become strong prognostic indicators. Further, as evidenced by recent randomized clinical trials, the choice of front-line therapy (transplant vs. no transplant, inclusion of novel drugs such as bortezomib, thalidomide, and lenalidomide) may be able to overcome the adverse effect of high-risk genetic lesions.

Keywords: :

• Cytogenetics
• FISH
• MGUS
• Multiple mieloma
• Prognostic factors
• Risk groups
• Therapy
• Thalidomide
• Bortezomib

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by grants from the National Research Council (CONICET) and the National Agency of Scientific and Technical Promotion (ANPCyT).

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.