Multiple myeloma is a malignancy affecting approximately 400 new patients in Norway each year.

It is classified as a hematological malignancy, but the cancer cells are usually found within the bone marrow.

The presence of myeloma cells in the bone marrow causes bone disease with osteolytic lesions and osteoporosis. Compared to a solid tumor, multiple myeloma is unique because bone marrow aspirates taken for diagnostic purposes not only contain the malignant cells, but also bone marrow stromal cells and plasma surrounding the malignant cells, i.e. essential components of the tumor microenvironment. The soluble components of the bone marrow aspirates can thus relatively easily be isolated and characterized.

One aim of the center is to study the interaction between myeloma cells and stromal cells with respect to myeloma cell survival, drug sensitivity and the bone disease of multiple myeloma, and with special emphasize on inflammatory mechanisms as driving forces in the development of multiple myeloma.

We participates and initiates clinical studies of new drugs for the treatment of myeloma.