Modulation of cell metabolic pathways and oxidative stress signaling contribute to acquired melphalan resistance in multiple myeloma cells

Multiple myeloma RPMI8226 cells adapted to growth in melphalan display a shift towards Warburg metabolism and modulated oxidative stress signaling. Inhibitors targeting specific enzymes in these pathways are selectively toxic to the melphalan-resistant cells. To investigate large scale alterations in gene expression accompanying melphalan resistance, we used the multiple myeloma cell line RPMI8226 and its melphalan-resistant derivative LR5. The stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) approach.