Multiple myeloma etiology and treatment

Genomic aberrations comprise hallmarks of multiple myeloma (MM), a plasma cell malignancy with an overall poor prognosis. MM is heterogeneous and has different molecularly-defined subtypes according to varying clinical and pathological features. Hyperdiploidy or non-hyperdiploidy has usually been identified as early initiating genetic events that can be followed by secondary aberrations, including copy number changes, secondary translocations, and different epigenetic modifications, which cause immortalization of plasma cell and disease progression. Even though recent advances in drug discovery have offered new perspectives of treatment, MM remains incurable. However, understanding the molecular complexity of MM would allow patients to get precision treatment. Our review focuses on current evidence in myeloma biology with special attention to genomic and molecular variations.