Malignant proliferation of cells within the bone marrow that usually occurs during middle age or later and increases in occurrence with age. Myelomas are equally common in males and females and affect any of the marrow-containing bones such as the skull, the flat bones (e.g., ribs, sternum, pelvis, shoulder blades), and vertebrae.

antibody studies

Plasma cell tumours (myelomas) have made it possible to study individual antibodies since these tumours, which are descendants of a single plasma cell, produce one antibody in abundance. Another method of obtaining large amounts of a specific antibody is by fusing a B lymphocyte with a rapidly growing cancer cell. The resultant hybrid cell, known as a hybridoma, multiplies rapidly in culture….

blood diseases

Another malignant disease, probably related to the above conditions, is multiple myeloma, which is characterized by a malignant overgrowth of plasma cells within the bone marrow. This severely painful disorder causes defects in the bone of the skull, the ribs, the spine, and the pelvis that ultimately result in fractures. As the bone marrow becomes more involved, anemia develops and hemorrhages…

cancers of the lymphocytes

…most prevalent of the childhood leukemias. Similarly, most cases of Hodgkin disease, a common type of lymphoma that mainly strikes adults, can be cured by drugs, radiation, or a combination of both. Myelomas primarily arise in older individuals. These tumours grow fairly slowly and are usually diagnosed by virtue of the characteristic immunoglobulin they secrete, which may be produced in such…

monoclonal antibody production

An astonishingly high serum concentration of a single type of immunoglobulin is associated with multiple myeloma, a type of cancer in which a single B cell proliferates to form a tumorous clone of antibody-secreting cells that can multiply indefinitely, like all cancer cells (see immune system disorder: Cancers of the lymphocytes). Thus the immunoglobulins made by myelomas are monoclonal, and…

thalidomide

More recent studies suggest that thalidomide may have activity against multiple myeloma, a variety of solid tumours, and other hematologic cancers. In addition to its ability to inhibit production of TNF, it appears that thalidomide may inhibit production of other immunoregulatory substances and may inhibit the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), possibly by blocking growth factors that…

Magazine and Journal Articles :

Taking on a lethal blood cancer.

By: Seppa, Nathan. Science News, 1/1/2005, Vol. 167 Issue 1, p14-14 This article focuses on a new drug, bortezomib, that helps fight mantle-cell lymphoma. From San Diego, at a meeting of the American Society of Hematology. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is mainly a malignancy of antibody-making immune cells called B lymphocytes. While drugs have helped many patients fend off some forms of this cancer, an aggressive form known as mantle-cell lymphoma often recurs after chemotherapy. This lymphoma arises from B cells that form a mantle around the inner core of lymph nodes. Researchers now report that a drug called bortezomib, already approved for use against the bone marrow cancer multiple myeloma, helped patients with mantle-cell lymphoma who had failed to improve on three previous treatment regimens. Reading Level (Lexile): 1310;

WEEK IN REVIEW.

Crain’s Detroit Business, 4/11/2005, Vol. 21 Issue 15, p26-26 This article reports that two law firms have filed suits seeking class-action status for shareholders of Collins & Aikman Corp. in U.S. District Court. Troy-based Collins & Aikman said last month that it likely would have to restate earnings from last year because of improper accounting of vendor rebates. The Auburn Hills City Council tabled discussion until April 18 on a proposed 60,000-square-foot expansion of The Palace of Auburn Hills, the Detroit Free Press reported. Champion Enterprises Inc. has sold 22 retail centers in six deals worth $20 million, part of the manufactured-home producer’s plan to exit retail. Reading Level (Lexile): 1200;

WEEK IN REVIEW.

Crain’s Detroit Business, 4/18/2005, Vol. 21 Issue 16, p34-34 The article presents news related to the week of April 9-15, 2005. The Michigan Gaming Control Board has approved the sale of Mandalay Resort Group Inc.’s 53.5 per cent share of MotorCity Casino LLC to Marian Ilitch, who already owns 25 percent interest in the casino. In another case, Detroit, Michigan, needs voter approval of a new 2 per cent sales tax on fast food and a property-transfer tax, plus more than 750 layoffs and 10 per cent pay cuts through days off without pay, to balance the $1.4 billion 2005-2006 budget, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick said. Reading Level (Lexile): 1200;

First American CFO Klemens Dies at 55.

By: Shenn, Jody. American Banker, 1/6/2006, Vol. 171 Issue 4, p9-9 This article presents an obituary for Thomas A. Klemens, the longtime chief financial officer of the Santa Ana, Calif., title, settlement service, and real estate data company First American Corp. Reading Level (Lexile): 1250;

Managing cancer.

By: Marshall, Samantha. Crain’s New York Business, 4/17/2006, Vol. 22 Issue 16, p35-36
The article reports that targeted therapy, genetic-based treatments, sophisticated radiation and better surgical techniques are lengthening lives and new medicines to manage side effects and pain are making it possible for many cancer patients to handle a full work schedule. Subsequent research shows that the vast majority of patients at all stages return to their jobs and are as productive as their co-workers. Federal laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family Medical Leave Act protect workers with cancer from being fired and compel employers to be flexible about time off for treatment. Reading Level (Lexile): 1240;

WEEK IN REVIEW.

Crain’s Detroit Business, 5/15/2006, Vol. 22 Issue 20, p34-34 This article presents information on several business developments in Michigan. Novi-based ITC Holdings Corp. is acquiring Michigan’s other major electricity-transmission company, Michigan Electric Transmission Co. in an $866 million deal. The acquisition will give ITC, whose 150-employee subsidiary ITCTransmission operates Southeast Michigan’s system, ownership of METC’s electricity-transmission system in the western Lower Peninsula. Roger Penske was elected chairman of the Downtown Detroit Partnership on Monday morning and announced that he will seek private-sector funding for a downtown cleanup initiative to be led by him and Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Called Next Detroit: Clean Downtown, the campaign has a budget of $1.2 million for the rest of this year and $1.5 million for next year. Reading Level (Lexile): 1250;

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