Multiple Myeloma and the Immune System: Understanding the Connection
Multiple myeloma is a complex blood cancer that develops in plasma cells , a type of white blood cell found primarily in the bone marrow. Plasma cells normally play an important role in the immune system by producing antibodies that help the body recognize and fight infections. In multiple myeloma, abnormal plasma cells multiply uncontrollably. As these myeloma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, they can interfere with the production and function of healthy blood cells and produce abnormal proteins that can affect other parts of the body. This creates an unusual relationship between multiple myeloma and immunity: Myeloma is a cancer of cells that are themselves part of the immune system. Understanding that relationship can help explain why infections are such an important concern for people living with the disease. What Happens to the Immune System in Multiple Myeloma? Healthy plasma cells produce a wide variety of antibodies, also called immunoglobulins, that recognize different thr...