Plasma Cell Tumors

Abstract

OverviewPlasma cell disorders have in common a proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells associated with the production of a monoclonal protein. These disorders range from the common, indolent condition of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to malignancies, such as multiple myeloma, characterized by the presence of hypercalcemia, anemia, renal dysfunction, and/or lytic lesions. Progress in the understanding of the molecular underpinnings of myeloma has led to remarkable advances in its treatment. High‐dose melphalan with autologous stem‐cell transplant was historically a mainstay of treatment. Now, highly effective and well‐tolerated drug classes such as the proteasome inhibitors (e.g., bortezomib and carfilzomib) and immunomodulatory drugs (e.g., lenalidomide and pomalidomide) have rapidly transformed the treatment of myeloma and significantly improved the overall survival. The increasing use of extended treatment strategies such as maintenance therapy and the arrival of newer drug classes such as plasma cell‐specific monoclonal antibodies are setting the stage for improving outcomes further.