Elevated PRKD2 Promotes Progression and Poor Prognosis of Multiple Myeloma

This study aimed to address the challenges in treating multiple myeloma (MM) and its advanced stage, relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), by identifying new therapeutic targets. Clinical data were collected from 132 MM patients. Through propensity score matching, bone marrow samples from 24 MM patients and 6 control individuals were selected for RNA sequencing analysis. Western blot validation was performed in cell lines to investigate the role of serine/threonine-protein kinase D2 (PRKD2) in MM and RRMM. Additionally, gene ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, immune infiltration analysis, and drug sensitivity screening were conducted. The study found PRKD2 to be significantly upregulated in MM and RRMM, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target. Functional assays indicated that disrupting PRKD2 inhibited myeloma cell proliferation, and pathway analysis revealed immune-related pathway alterations associated with PRKD2 expression. Drug sensitivity analysis identified Axitinib as a potential therapeutic agent targeting PRKD2, highlighting its promise for MM treatment.