The human microbiota in multiple myeloma and proteasome inhibitors

The gut microbiota plays a significant role in health and disease, including cancer development and treatment. The importance of the gut microbiota in the efficacy and toxicity of novel therapies and immunotherapy is increasingly recognized. Plasma cells in multiple myeloma have the potential to survive in the gastrointestinal tract for long periods of time. The nature of the gut microbiota impacts the degree of antigen stimulation of these cells and may play a role in mutation development and clonal evolution. Furthermore, myeloma therapies such as proteasome inhibitors and alkylating agents, commonly used to treat patients, are frequently associated with gastrointestinal adverse events. Herein we review the gut microbiota and its role in hematopoiesis, pathogenesis of myeloma, and efficacy/toxicity of anti-myeloma therapies.