Multiple myeloma (MM) is a bone marrow-based type of blood cancer. Modern treatment of the disease has to consider the impact of the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM).
Two thirds of MM cases develop in older patients and are nearly always incurable. The cancer develops from mature antibody-producing B cells that develop in niches in the bone marrow. They are surrounded by tissue cells, bone marrow cells, blood vessel cells and immune cells. Cytokines in the BMM helps cancer cells to avoid cell death, thereby making them immune to medication.
Further details: Tumour environment in the equation