The role of bone morphogenetic proteins in myeloma cell survival

Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2014 Jun;25(3):343-50. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2014.04.009. Epub 2014 May 9.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma is characterized by slowly growing clones of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. The malignant state is frequently accompanied by osteolytic bone disease due to a disturbed balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are present in the bone marrow and are important for several aspects of myeloma pathogenesis including growth and survival of tumor cells, bone homeostasis, and anemia. Among cancer cells, myeloma cells are particularly sensitive to growth inhibition and apoptosis induced by BMPs and therefore represent good models to study BMP receptor usage and signaling. Our review highlights and discusses the current knowledge on BMP signaling in myeloma.

Keywords: Apoptosis; BMP; Bone morphogenetic protein; Multiple myeloma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis*
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Survival
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological*
  • Multiple Myeloma / metabolism*
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins