Project manager:

Mihaela Zlei, PhD, Biologist at the St. Spiridon Hospital, Laboratory of Immunology and Genetics, Iasi, Romania.

Summary

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable malignancy with medullary localization and the documented occurrence of multi-drug resistance phenotypes reoriented the scientific interest toward the study of bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. BM stromal cells (BMSCs), together with other normal components of the microenvironment, have a major role in mm pathogeny, mediating anti-apoptotic and proliferative effects on mm cells and cytokines. In previous studies, carried out in collaboration with a German group from the Department of Hematology, University of Freiburg, we established an experimental model for the in vitro study of interactions between mm cells and BMSCs. Using this co-culture system we identified particular cytokine patterns. Consequently, we further intend, as a major objective of the current project proposal, to identify common signaling pathways activated inside the microenvironment and to evaluate their potential as molecular therapy target.