Targeting Bone Marrow Microenvironment for New Therapeutic Opportunities in Multiple Myeloma

Dear Colleagues,

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematologic neoplasia caused by the overgrowth of malignant plasma cells (PC) in the bone marrow (BM). Signals from the microenvironment and failure of immune surveillance play major roles in the molecular mechanisms driving the evolution of this malignancy. Interactions with components of microenvironment support the survival, proliferation, migration, and drug resistance of malignant PCs and contribute to establishing a strong immunosuppressive status, hence, favoring disease progression. Thus, a better understanding of how MM cells engage contacts with cellular and molecular components in the BM microenvironment is critical to provide novel therapeutic targets. In this context, the development of immunotherapeutic approaches (antibody-based treatments, vaccines, and cellular therapy) to enhance host-anti myeloma immunity has shown promising results. In addition, the onset of increased BM angiogenesis and lytic bone disease in MM and their correlation with disease activity led to consider also angiogenesis and dysregulated osteoclastogenesis as attractive targets for novel therapeutics.

We invite investigators to publish original research articles, as well as review articles that will improve our knowledge on complex mechanisms regulating the interplay between MM cells and components in the BM microenvironment and will contribute to the development of new therapies.

Dr. Cinzia Fionda
Dr. Helena Stabile
Dr. Marco Cippitelli
Dr. Roberto Ria
Guest Editors

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• MM
• BM microenvironment
• immunotherapy
• drug resistance
• stromal cells
• extracellular matrix
• angiogenesis
• osteoclastogenesis