Deadly statistics
The disease to which Anderson has devoted his professional life is a rare, but almost invariably fatal, form of cancer. Though it accounts for just 1 percent of all cancers and 2 percent of cancer-related deaths, multiple myeloma is the second most common type of blood cancer, accounting for 11,000 deaths annually in the United States. It is the fourth fastest-growing cancer in terms of mortality and is among the top 10 causes of death among African-Americans.
The causes of the disease are unknown, but exposure to radiation or pesticides is thought to increase risk. The average age of myeloma patients is 60.
Research is the key to developing new treatments. Working in the background of the Lipper Center are researchers Faith E. Davies, M.D. (left), and Boris Lin, M.D.,Ph.D. In the foreground are Yu-Tzu Tai, Ph.D. (left), and Suzanne Lentzsch, M.D.
The hallmark of the disease is a buildup of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Plasma cells produce infection-fighting antibodies and are an important part of the body's natural arsenal against disease. But when they become too abundant in the bone marrow, plasma cells take the place of tissue that produces red and white blood cells and the platelets needed for clotting. The result is fatigue, an increased susceptibility to infection, and bleeding.
Over the past 20 years, Anderson and his team have pioneered critical advances against the disease, leading not only to improved treatments, but also to a deeper understanding of how myeloma occurs at the basic level of cells and genes.
Some highlights of their investigations include:
- 1981 — Dana-Farber scientists published studies showing how myeloma cells differ from normal bone marrow cells, a project Anderson descibes as "identifying the enemy";
- 1984 — Researchers used surface markings to "fingerprint" how myeloma cells differ from lymphoma and leukemia cells;
- 1986 — Investigators applied their discovery of myeloma cells' fingerprints to develop a new treatment for the disease — a bone marrow transplant in which harvested marrow is purged of myeloma cells before being returned to patients' bodies;
- 1998 — Researchers introduced therapies that use the body's immune system as a weapon against myeloma and made new inroads in their understanding of the signaling pathways inside myeloma cells;
- 1999 — The Institute opened the Daryl Elizabeth Layzer Infusion Center, where myeloma patients can participate in clinical trials;
- 2000 — DFCI opened the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, where basic research into the disease is conducted.
- Next: United against myeloma
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