19.07.2013 Views

changes in protein profiles in bortezomib applied multiple myeloma ...

changes in protein profiles in bortezomib applied multiple myeloma ...

changes in protein profiles in bortezomib applied multiple myeloma ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

As a result of this situation observed <strong>in</strong> patients with MM, bones are damaged<br />

caus<strong>in</strong>g pa<strong>in</strong> and sometimes they can even break. Fractured bones and bone pa<strong>in</strong> which<br />

is lead<strong>in</strong>g manifestation of <strong>myeloma</strong> <strong>in</strong> 75% of MM patients (Zaidi and Vesole, 2001))<br />

are major problems.<br />

Another significant symptom of MM is high blood calcium. With the <strong>in</strong>creased<br />

bone resorption, calcium <strong>in</strong> the bones is released. This can result from high blood levels<br />

of calcium (hypercalcemia) that can cause dehydration, severe constipation, loss of<br />

appetite, drowsy and nausea. Furthermore, renal failure (present 5-30% of MM<br />

patients) may commonly develop ow<strong>in</strong>g to hypercalcemia both acutely and chronically<br />

(Alexanian et al., 1990; Ludwig, 2005; Smith et al., 2006; Wirk, 2011; ACS, 2011).<br />

One of the reason for MM patients to feel themselves very tired and weak is<br />

anemia that blocks the proliferation of the new red blood cells by malignant <strong>myeloma</strong><br />

cells. A reduced number of red blood cells causes weakness, shortness of breath and<br />

dizz<strong>in</strong>ess. Furthermore, they also hamper the formation of new white blood cells which<br />

are significant for immune system. This is why, <strong>in</strong>sufficient white blood cells<br />

(leukopenia) lowers resistance to <strong>in</strong>fections (Zaidi and Vesole, 2001) and the lower<br />

blood platelet (thrombocytopenia) (Krist<strong>in</strong>sson, 2010) may cause serious bleed<strong>in</strong>g<br />

(Ludwig, 2005; ACS, 2011).<br />

Patients with MM are nearly fifteen times more likely to get <strong>in</strong>fections. This is<br />

because, the body is unable to make the antibodies which help fight <strong>in</strong>fection. One of<br />

the result of this situation, patients are slow to respond to treatment. Pneumonia is very<br />

common and a serious <strong>in</strong>fection determ<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> <strong>myeloma</strong> patients (Savage et al., 1982;<br />

ACS, 2011).<br />

If MM give rise to the weaken<strong>in</strong>g of bones <strong>in</strong> the sp<strong>in</strong>e, they can press on sp<strong>in</strong>al<br />

nerves caus<strong>in</strong>g sudden severe pa<strong>in</strong>, numbness, and/or muscle weakness. Besides, some<br />

abnormal prote<strong>in</strong>s produced by <strong>myeloma</strong> cells can be toxic to the nerves.<br />

1.2.5. Diagnosis of MM<br />

For the diagnosis of MM, many test and procedures were <strong>in</strong>troduced with the<br />

cl<strong>in</strong>ic. These crucial studies <strong>in</strong> terms of the evaluation of MM, their purposes and results<br />

are demonstrated <strong>in</strong> Table 1.3.<br />

13

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!