ASH Clinical News | Page 19

Despite recent advances, multiple myeloma remains a
largely incurable disease, with fewer than half of patients
surviving five years after diagnosis.1

Natural killer cells are part of the body’s first line of defense
against cancer, but myeloma cells evade and suppress a
patient’s natural immune response, making further medical
advances challenging.2-11
We need a new approach.
Bristol-Myers Squibb is deeply committed to furthering
the science behind Immuno-Oncology. Leading the way
in Immuno-Oncology research, Bristol-Myers Squibb
is investigating the potential of the SLAMF7, KIR, and
CD137 pathways to activate the body’s own natural killer
cells to target myeloma cells.
REFERENCES: 1. SEER Stat Fact Sheets: Myeloma, 2004-2010. http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/mulmy.html. Accessed July 17, 2014; 2. Godfrey J and Benson DM Jr.
The role of natural killer cells in immunity against multiple myeloma. Leuk Lymphoma. 2012;53:1666-1676; 3. Cheng M, Chen Y, Xiao W et al. NK cell-based immunotherapy
for malignant diseases. Cell Molec Immunol. 2013;10:230-252; 4. Bernal M, Garrido P, Jiménez P et al. Changes in activatory and inhibitory natural killer (NK) receptors may
induce progression to multiple myeloma : implications for tumor evasion of T and NK cells. Human Immunol. 2009;70:854-857; 5. Jinushi M, Vanneman M, Munshi NC et
al. MHC class I chain-related protein A antibodies and shedding are associated with the progression of multiple myeloma. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2008;105:1285-1290;
6. Carbone E, Neri P, Mesuraca M et al. HLA class I, NKG2D, and natural cytotoxicity receptors regulate multiple myeloma cell recognition by natural killer cells. Blood.
2005;105:251-258; 7. von Lilienfeld-Toal M, Frank S, Leyendecker C et al. Reduced immune effector cell NKG2D expression and increased levels of soluble NKG2D ligands
in multiple myeloma may not be causally linked. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2010;59:829-839; 8. Cook G, Campbell JDM, Carr CE et al. Transforming growth factor beta
from multiple myeloma cells inhibits proliferation and IL-2 responsiveness in T lymphocytes. J Leukoc Biol. 1999;66:981-988; 9. Yu J, Wei M, Becknell B et al. Pro- and
anti-inflammatory cytokine signaling: reciprocal antagonism regulates interferon-gamma production by human natural killer cells. Immunity. 2006;24:575-590; 10. Nielsen
H, Nielsen HJ, Tvede N et al. Immune dysfunction in multiple myeloma. Reduced natural killer cell activity and increased levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptors. APMIS.
1991;99:340-346; 11. Tinhofer I, Marschitz I, Henn T et al. Expression of functional interleukin-15 receptor and autocrine production of interleukin-15 as mechanisms of
tumor propagation in multiple myeloma. Blood. 2000;95:610-618.

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