According to a story from mysunshinecoast.com.au, an international research team has uncovered a potential biomarker that could help develop treatments for multiple myeloma, a rare form of cancer. Currently, multiple myeloma does not have very good survival rates, and new treatment options are needed in order to improve outcomes for patients.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer that affects the plasma cells. Plasma cells are an essential immune system component. They are a type of white blood cell that is responsible for creating antibodies. The cause of multiple myeloma is unknown, but there are risk factors, such as a family history, exposure to certain chemical, alcohol consumption, obesity, and radiation exposure. Affected plasma cells produce abnormal antibodies which can cause complications such as thickened blood and kidney issues. These plasma cells often form a tumor in the bone marrow, causing symptoms such as bone pain, infections, neurological problems, kidney failure, and anemia. Current treatments can allow survival for four to five years, with an average five year survival rate of 49%. Unfortunately, very few people survive beyond this time frame. The cancer is known for its ability to relapse and development resistance to treatment in its advanced stages. To learn more about multiple myeloma, click here.
In the study, the scientists discovered that a molecule called IL-18 was capable of suppressing immune system activity, which creates prime conditions for cancer to begin in the bone marrow. A further analysis involving 152 patients with multiple myeloma revealed that higher concentrations of IL-18 was associated with worse outcomes and poor survival. IL-18 had previously been considered a sign of a health immune system because it was believed to stimulate white blood cell activity. In fact, the molecule promotes the function of granulocytes, a type of white blood cell that can subdue that activity of T-cells, which can locate and kill cells that are affected by cancer.
