Hematology and Cell Therapy

Multiple Myeloma, Amyloidosis, and Stem Cell Transplantation

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that arises from a type of white blood cells called as plasma cell myeloma. Plasma cells become abnormal, proliferate when tumors accumulate in the different parts of the body especially in the bone marrow. Myeloma is diagnosed and monitored by measuring the levels of paraproteins. Amyloidosis is a rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein called amyloid builds up in your organs and interferes with their normal function. Amyloid is formed from several different types of protein in the body. Treatments for amyloidosis may include medications to reduce amyloid production and to control symptoms and some people may benefit from organ or stem cell transplants. A stem cell transplant also called a bone marrow transplant which treats certain types of cancer. Depending on where the stem cells come from the transplantation is defined either peripheral stem cell transplant or cord blood transplant. Hemopoietic stem cells give rise to other blood substances by a process called Hemopoiesis in the red bone marrow. Hemopoietic stem cell transplants are used in the treatment of immune system disorders and cancers.