Culprit unmasked in multiple myeloma

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Culprit unmasked in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is caused by the
recently discovered Kaposi’s sarcoma-
associated herpesvirus, US
researchers have found (Science
1997;276:1851-4). Multiple myeloma
is the second most common type of
blood cancer in the US. Research had
focused on why it develops in only
25% of patients with a precursor
condition (MGUS). The researchers
believe that both MGUS and the
virus, which infects the dendritic cells
in the bone marrow, may be needed
for multiple myeloma. The virus
does not infect the actual cancer cells,
leading researchers to suspect that it
causes cancer by producing a protein
(interleukin-6) that stimulates the
growth of myeloma cells.

News and analysis
14827 Sept 1/97 CMAJ /Page505
CAN MED ASSOC J • SEPT. 1, 1997; 157 (5) 505
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