The FGF/FGFR/c-Myc axis as a promising therapeutic target in multiple myeloma

Abstract Among blood cancers, multiple myeloma (MM) represents the second most common neoplasm and is characterized by the accumulation and proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells within the bone marrow. Despite the last few decades being characterized by the development of different therapeutic st...

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Main Authors: Arianna Giacomini, Sara Taranto, Giorgia Gazzaroli, Jessica Faletti, Davide Capoferri, Raffaella Marcheselli, Margherita Sciumè, Marco Presta, Antonio Sacco, Aldo M. Roccaro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-024-03217-2
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author Arianna Giacomini
Sara Taranto
Giorgia Gazzaroli
Jessica Faletti
Davide Capoferri
Raffaella Marcheselli
Margherita Sciumè
Marco Presta
Antonio Sacco
Aldo M. Roccaro
author_facet Arianna Giacomini
Sara Taranto
Giorgia Gazzaroli
Jessica Faletti
Davide Capoferri
Raffaella Marcheselli
Margherita Sciumè
Marco Presta
Antonio Sacco
Aldo M. Roccaro
author_sort Arianna Giacomini
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Among blood cancers, multiple myeloma (MM) represents the second most common neoplasm and is characterized by the accumulation and proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells within the bone marrow. Despite the last few decades being characterized by the development of different therapeutic strategies against MM, at present such disease is still considered incurable. Although MM is highly heterogeneous in terms of genetic and molecular subtypes, about 67% of MM cases are associated with abnormal activity of the transcription factor c-Myc, which has so far revealed a protein extremely difficult to target. We have recently demonstrated that activation of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling protects MM cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by stabilizing the oncoprotein c-Myc. Accordingly, secretion of FGF ligands and autocrine activation of FGF receptors (FGFR) is observed in MM cells and FGFR3 genomic alterations represent some 15–20% MM cases and are associated with poor outcome. Thus, FGF/FGFR blockade may represent a promising strategy to indirectly target c-Myc in MM. On this basis, the present review aims at providing an overview of recently explored connections between the FGF/FGFR system and c-Myc oncoprotein, sustaining the therapeutic potential of targeting the FGF/FGFR/c-Myc axis in MM by using inhibitors targeting FGF ligands or FGF receptors. Importantly, the provided findings may represent the rationale for using FDA approved FGFR TK inhibitors (i.e. Pemigatinib, Futibatinib, Erdafitinib) for the treatment of MM patients presenting with an aberrant activation of this axis.
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spelling doaj-art-be64ebe462f54564880972f7b4f18a9a2025-08-20T02:18:35ZengBMCJournal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research1756-99662024-11-0143111710.1186/s13046-024-03217-2The FGF/FGFR/c-Myc axis as a promising therapeutic target in multiple myelomaArianna Giacomini0Sara Taranto1Giorgia Gazzaroli2Jessica Faletti3Davide Capoferri4Raffaella Marcheselli5Margherita Sciumè6Marco Presta7Antonio Sacco8Aldo M. Roccaro9Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of BresciaClinical Trial Center, Translational Research and Phase I Unit, ASST Spedali Civili Di BresciaDepartment of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of BresciaDepartment of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of BresciaDepartment of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of BresciaClinical Trial Center, Translational Research and Phase I Unit, ASST Spedali Civili Di BresciaClinical Trial Center, Translational Research and Phase I Unit, ASST Spedali Civili Di BresciaDepartment of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of BresciaClinical Trial Center, Translational Research and Phase I Unit, ASST Spedali Civili Di BresciaClinical Trial Center, Translational Research and Phase I Unit, ASST Spedali Civili Di BresciaAbstract Among blood cancers, multiple myeloma (MM) represents the second most common neoplasm and is characterized by the accumulation and proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells within the bone marrow. Despite the last few decades being characterized by the development of different therapeutic strategies against MM, at present such disease is still considered incurable. Although MM is highly heterogeneous in terms of genetic and molecular subtypes, about 67% of MM cases are associated with abnormal activity of the transcription factor c-Myc, which has so far revealed a protein extremely difficult to target. We have recently demonstrated that activation of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling protects MM cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by stabilizing the oncoprotein c-Myc. Accordingly, secretion of FGF ligands and autocrine activation of FGF receptors (FGFR) is observed in MM cells and FGFR3 genomic alterations represent some 15–20% MM cases and are associated with poor outcome. Thus, FGF/FGFR blockade may represent a promising strategy to indirectly target c-Myc in MM. On this basis, the present review aims at providing an overview of recently explored connections between the FGF/FGFR system and c-Myc oncoprotein, sustaining the therapeutic potential of targeting the FGF/FGFR/c-Myc axis in MM by using inhibitors targeting FGF ligands or FGF receptors. Importantly, the provided findings may represent the rationale for using FDA approved FGFR TK inhibitors (i.e. Pemigatinib, Futibatinib, Erdafitinib) for the treatment of MM patients presenting with an aberrant activation of this axis.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-024-03217-2Multiple myelomaC-MycFGF/FGFR system
spellingShingle Arianna Giacomini
Sara Taranto
Giorgia Gazzaroli
Jessica Faletti
Davide Capoferri
Raffaella Marcheselli
Margherita Sciumè
Marco Presta
Antonio Sacco
Aldo M. Roccaro
The FGF/FGFR/c-Myc axis as a promising therapeutic target in multiple myeloma
Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research
Multiple myeloma
C-Myc
FGF/FGFR system
title The FGF/FGFR/c-Myc axis as a promising therapeutic target in multiple myeloma
title_full The FGF/FGFR/c-Myc axis as a promising therapeutic target in multiple myeloma
title_fullStr The FGF/FGFR/c-Myc axis as a promising therapeutic target in multiple myeloma
title_full_unstemmed The FGF/FGFR/c-Myc axis as a promising therapeutic target in multiple myeloma
title_short The FGF/FGFR/c-Myc axis as a promising therapeutic target in multiple myeloma
title_sort fgf fgfr c myc axis as a promising therapeutic target in multiple myeloma
topic Multiple myeloma
C-Myc
FGF/FGFR system
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-024-03217-2
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