Plasma cells develop from B lymphocytes (B cells), a type of white blood cell that is made in the bone marrow. Normally, when bacteria or viruses enter the body, some of the B cells will change into plasma cells. The plasma cells make a different antibody to fight each type of bacteria or virus that enters the body, to stop infection and disease.
Plasma cell cancers or neoplasms are diseases in which there are too many plasma cells, or myeloma cells, in the bone marrow, making them unable to do their usual work. When this happens there is less room for healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. This condition may cause anemia or easy bleeding, or make it easier to get an infection. The abnormal plasma cells often form tumors in bones or soft tissues of the body. The plasma cells also make an antibody protein, called M protein for Monoclonal protein, that is not needed by the body and does not help fight infection. These antibody proteins build up in the bone marrow and can cause the blood to thicken or can damage the kidneys.
Our Myeloma Expertise
At The James, we have a team of physicians and physician-researchers who specialize in diagnosing and treating multiple myeloma. With research and treatment areas under one roof, we are better able to translate research advances to patient care – so our team of specialists can provide the best possible care for patients with multiple myeloma.
Physician-researchers at Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute have more than seven clinical trials under way involving multiple myeloma patients, and a $9.95 million National Cancer Institute grant is helping researchers study ways to boost the human immune system’s capacity to fight cancer.
