A study to target tumor-associated macrophages in multiple myeloma. (FWOKN279)

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy with growth of cancer plasma cells in the bone marrow. An important cell type present in the bone marrow is the macrophage that under tumor stimuli promotes different processes like tumor growth, angiogenesis, immunosuppression and drug resistance. Our research hypothesis is that targeting tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) could be beneficial for the treatment of MM patients. A clear strategy to target these populations in MM is up to now not well-addressed. A first specific objective will be to evaluate TAM in drug resistance and MM development, this by analyzing the role of the polarization status of TAM in these processes. A second specific objective will be to evaluate possible pharmacological TAM targeting agents as well as drugs currently used or under investigation for MM therapy. We propose to evaluate currently used anti-MM agents since it is not known how they affect TAM. Also, described anti-TAM agents will be tested if they can be used for the targeting of TAM in MM. A third specific objective will be the evaluation of radiotherapy as TAM targeting agent. Radiotherapy is in some cases used in the clinic for the treatment of osteolytic lesions in MM patients. Since it is recently described as immunomodulatory, it would be of interest to study this therapy in the context of macrophages. This research will increase the knowledge on TAM modulation in MM disease and might reveal potential treatment options.

Keywords:Multiple Myeloma

Disciplines:Medical informatics, Oncology