Preventives/remedies for myeloma tumor and method for diagnosing the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a preventive or therapeutic drug for a myeloma tumor and osteoclastic bone loss associating therewith, the drug containing as an active ingredient an osteopontin-production regulator or inhibitor; a screening method for a preventive or therapeutic drug for a myeloma tumor, characterized by determining osteopontin production regulatory or inhibitory effect; as well as a diagnostic kit for a myeloma tumor, characterized by including a reagent for measuring blood osteopontin level, and a diagnostic method.

1 - 7 . (canceled)  
     
     
         8 . A method for treating myeloma comprising: 
 administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of at least one compound which reduces osteopontin levels.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one compound inhibits the production of osteopontin by myeloma cells.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one compound is a PPARγ agonist.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of troglitazone, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, and indomethacin.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said compound is an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of rosuvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, cerivastatin, pitavastatin and mevastatin.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said compound is administered perorally.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said compound is administered parenterally.  
     
     
         16 . A method for reducing osteoclastic bone loss associated with myeloma comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of at least one compound which reduces osteopontin levels.  
     
     
         17 . A method for treating myeloma or bone loss associated with myeloma comprising: 
 identifying a subject having an elevated osteopontin level by measuring the blood osteopontin level of a subject and comparing the measured level with the osteopontin level in a reference sample, and    administering to said subject an effective amount of at least one compound which reduces osteopontin levels.