Extracellular Vesicles in Multiple Myeloma—Cracking the Code to a Better Understanding of the Disease

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Multiple myeloma is a malignant hematological disease whose pathomechanism is not yet fully understood on the molecular level. Extracellular vesicles might be of significance in the evolution of this disease. Our aim is to present and systematize the latest findings concerning the role of extracellular vesicles in multiple myeloma, in order to enable an easier establishment of new research aims in this area. The results of such research could contribute to a better understanding of the disease and in consequence, result in the improvement of the diagnostic process of multiple myeloma and the invention of new therapies. ABSTRACT: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell-derived malignancy that stands for around 1.5% of newly discovered cancer cases. Despite constantly improving treatment methods, the disease is incurable with over 13,000 deaths in the US and over 30,000 in Europe. Recent studies suggest that extracellular vesicles (EVs) might play a significant role in the pathogenesis and evolution of MM. Further investigation of their role could prove to be beneficial in establishing new therapies and hence, improve the prognosis of MM patients. What is more, EVs might serve as novel markers in diagnosing and monitoring the disease. Great advancements concerning the position of EVs in the pathophysiology of MM have recently been shown in research and in this review, we would like to delve into the still expanding state of knowledge.