Genetic evolution and heterogeneity of multiple myeloma: a report from the 2013 EHA annual meeting

Recent studies have shown that multiple myeloma (MM) is preceded by a premalignant state called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM).Some of the genetic changes of MM are also present in MGUS and SMM,including chromosomal translocations,copy number changes,somatic mutations and so on.This article discusses the genetic heterogeneity. Key words: Multiple myeloma;  Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance;  Smoldering multiple myeloma;  Genetic heterogeneity;  Target therapy;  EHA annual meeting