FAT-RELATED PATHWAYS MAY REPRESENT THERAPEUTIC TARGETS FOR MULTIPLE MYELOMA TREATMENT

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer for which few therapies exist, most of which are limited by toxicity and tumor resistance. Fatty acid synthase, an enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of carbohydrate to fatty acids, is highly expressed in multiple myeloma, among other cancers. This research investigated the potential of orlistat, a fatty acid synthase inhibitor, as a multiple myeloma therapeutic in vitro. In vitro, orlistat reduced proliferation of multiple myeloma cells, induced apoptosis, slowed progression through the cell cycle, and altered expression of survival and mitotic genes.