Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

PhD

College

School of Medicine

Department

Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology

Committee Chair

Gangqing Hu

Committee Co-Chair

Steven Frisch

Committee Member

Lori Hazlehurst

Committee Member

Edwin Wan

Committee Member

Gordon Meares

Committee Member

Ivan Martinez

Committee Member

Werner Geldenhuys

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM), is a hematological cancer originating in plasma cells. Currently multiple myeloma represents a significant clinical challenge due its incurable nature mainly due to inevitable drug resistance. MM is characterized by abnormal plasma cell proliferation within the bone marrow and production of abnormal immunoglobulin resulting in a plethora of physiological abnormalities. Although a rare malignancy, MM accounts for 1% of all cancers and currently has five-year survival rate of around 50%. Utilizing a combination of laboratory experiments and bioinformatics techniques, this dissertation examines multiple layers of MM physiology in the context of regulating drug resistance or sensitivity. First, we examine the influence of bone marrow stromal cells on MM transcriptome related to stromal cells induced drug resistance. Secondly, we assess novel anti-MM therapeutics candidate like CB-6644, and lastly investigates the transcription factor CEBPβ's role in modulating dexamethasone sensitivity.

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