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Project
Epigenetic regulation of multiple myeloma cells within the bone marrow microenvironment: identification of new potential targets (FWOKN242)
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy which resides in the bone marrow (BM). In the BM signals are provided to the cancer cells to survive, grow and escape drug-induced cell death. Although new drugs targeting these signals significantly improve the overall survival, patients inevitably relapse and develop non-responsive disease. Consequently, further trials and identification of novel targets and (combinations of) drugs are still needed.
Increasing evidence demonstrates that epigenetic changes play a major role in MM pathogenesis. The best known epigenetic changes are (i) DNA methylation and (ii) post-translational (non) histone changes and have been extensively shown to co-operate intensively in regulating gene expression. Interestingly, these changes are reversible and are thus new potential targets for MM therapy. Indeed, (combination of) drugs targeting these two kind of changes have proven to possess potent anti-MM activity. However, the mechanisms by which these agents mediate their anti-tumor effects, especially in vivo where the cells are protected by the BM microenvironment, are still poorly understood and remain to be elucidated. This will be investigated in the present study.
Increasing evidence demonstrates that epigenetic changes play a major role in MM pathogenesis. The best known epigenetic changes are (i) DNA methylation and (ii) post-translational (non) histone changes and have been extensively shown to co-operate intensively in regulating gene expression. Interestingly, these changes are reversible and are thus new potential targets for MM therapy. Indeed, (combination of) drugs targeting these two kind of changes have proven to possess potent anti-MM activity. However, the mechanisms by which these agents mediate their anti-tumor effects, especially in vivo where the cells are protected by the BM microenvironment, are still poorly understood and remain to be elucidated. This will be investigated in the present study.
Date:1 Jan 2012 → 31 Dec 2012
Keywords:Stem Cell, Blood, Coagulation, Myeloma, Immunology, Microbiology, HLA, Hematology, Lymphoma, cancer, Bone Marrow Transplantation
Disciplines:Basic sciences, Biological sciences