Not surprisingly, becausethe major complaint of myeloma patients is bone pain and disabilities related tobone damage, therapies that address bone damage have substantially improvedpatient quality of life. A class of drugs called bisphosphonates has been foundto reduce bone damage and associated complications. Current investigations are ongoing to find even more effectivebisphosphonates to reduce bone damage. Another advance in supportive care isthe development of growth factors to improve bone marrow function in myelomapatients. This factor ismost effective in patients who suffer prolonged suppression of white cell countsfollowing chemotherapy treatments.
Anemia is also a common complication ofmyeloma.
Erythropoietin is the primary factor and new therapy responsible forincreasing red cell counts and improving symptoms related to anemia. Guidelineshave been developed for the optimal use of these factors in myeloma patients. While advances have been made in thetreatment of myeloma, in order to make more substantial progress, newtherapeutic approaches must be developed. There is a great deal of excitementand hope in the research community today because of the new understandingregarding the biology of myeloma cells compared to normal cells. This newunderstanding will provide the basis for new treatment approaches that are moreeffective and less toxic.