Bone disease is one of the most common complications of multiple myeloma. It is the
result of increased osteoclast activity which is not compensated by osteoblast activity
and leads to osteolytic lesions characterized by bone pain and increased risk for pathological fracture, spinal cord compression and need for radiotherapy or surgery to the bone.
Recent studies have revealed novel pathways and molecules that are involved in the
biology of myeloma bone disease including the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa
B ligand/osteoprotegerin pathway, the Wnt signaling inhibitors dickkopf-1 and sclerostin,
macrophage inflammatory proteins, activin A, and others. A thorough study of these
pathways have provided novel agents that may play a critical role in the management of
myeloma related bone disease in the near future, such as denosumab (anti-RANKL),
sotatercept (activin A antagonist), romosozumab (anti-sclerostin) or BHQ-880 (anti-dickkopf 1). Currently, bisphosphonates are the cornerstone in the treatment of myeloma
related bone disease. Zoledronic acid and pamidronate are used in this setting with very
good results in reducing skeletal-related events, but they cannot be used in patients with
severe renal impairment. Furthermore, they have some rare but serious adverse events
including osteonecrosis of the jaw and acute renal insufficiency. This review paper focuses on the latest advances in the pathophysiology of myeloma bone disease and in the
current and future treatment options for its management