Growth Factors in Multiple Myeloma

Numerous studies have been devoted to the identification of myeloma cell growth factors (MGF) and to the signalling pathways leading to survival and/or proliferation of myeloma cells. These MGFs and their receptors may be specific to the myeloma clone or expressed throughout normal plasma cell differentiation. In a first part, we will briefly review the MGFs produced by the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment and then review the major signaling cascades triggered in multiple myeloma cells (MMCs) interacting with their microenvironment.