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In the past decade, many progresses have been made in our knowledge of the genetics of multiple myeloma. The use of molecular cytogenetic techniques has led to the identification of several recurrent (cyto)genetic abnormalities, representing either prognostic markers, or novel therapeutic targets. More global analyses of this genetic heterogeneity using expression array technologies should further extend our understanding of the disease, hopefully enabling some improvements in the treatment of the patients. The goal of this minireview is to summarize these recent advances.Leukemia (2005) 19, 191-194. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2403555 Published online 11 November 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ploidy appears as an important parameter in both the biology and the clinical evolution of multiple myeloma. However, its evaluation requires either a successful karyotyping (obtained in 30%of the patients) or a DNA index calculation by flow cytometry (not routinely performed in myeloma). We validated a novel method based on interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization that can be utilitized to analyze almost all the patients. The method was very specific and sensitive for the detection of hyperdiploidy. Extended studies showed that most recurrent 14q32 translocations occur in nonhyperdiploid clones, and that deletions of chromosome 13 were less frequently observed in hyperdiploid clones (48 vs 66%). Further large studies are ongoing to evaluate the prognostic value of ploidy in myeloma.Leukemia (2005) 19, 275-278. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2403586 Published online 11 November 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]