Targeting the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND/AIM Recent investigations have shown that the Wnt signaling pathway is constitutively activated in multiple myeloma (MM), thereby promoting an exaggerated cell proliferation. Thus, influencing the Wnt pathway might represent a promising target in myeloma treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study investigated whether a combination of ethacrynic acid (EA) and ciclopirox olamine (CIC) with piceatannol (PIC) would influence the Wnt pathway and viability of human and murine myeloma cell lines by using DiOC6 and propidium iodide (PI) staining, flow cytometry and immunoblotting. RESULTS The combination of EA with PIC as well as the combination of CIC with PIC had a significant additive effect on the vitality of myeloma cells compared to single-agent application, while healthy cells remained mainly unaffected. Additionally, EA and CIC altered the expression of β-catenin itself and its downstream factors. CONCLUSION A combination of Wnt inhibitors could lead to novel treatment options for MM patients.