Gene expression profiling of MM cells treated with FGF-trap molecule NSC12

Multiple myeloma (MM), the second most common hematological malignancy, frequently relapses because of chemotherapeutic resistance. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) act as pro-angiogenic and mitogenic cytokines in MM. Here, we demonstrate that the FGF system is essential for MM cell survival by protecting MM cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Accordingly, extracellular FGF blockade by an FGF trapping approach causes proteasomal degradation of the c-Myc oncoprotein. This triggers mitochondrial oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in MM cell lines and MM cells from both naïve and relapsed/refractory patients. Our data highlight the mechanism by which the FGF system contributes to MM cell survival and disease progression, representing a therapeutic target for MM patients with poor prognosis and advanced disease stage. KMS11 cells were treated with NSC12 for 6 and 12 hours