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Publications

Journal Article Review Epublish

PubMed: 40799240 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2025.1596928

Nestin in multiple myeloma: emerging insights into a potential therapeutic target.

Front Oncol 15:1596928

Authors: Yingmiao Wu, Ji Luo, Yue Zhou, Jiaoya Lin, Yajie Wu, Shuai Zheng, Jiao Chen, Feifei Che, Qiang Wang, Ling Zhong

Affiliations

  • Genetic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China. School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
  • Genetic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
  • Department of Hematology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
  • Center for Translational Research in Hematological Malignancies, Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy and remains incurable, with high rates of relapses and refractory. One of the root causes is the presence of multiple myeloma stem cells (MMSCs). The deficiency of MMSC treatment lies in the lack of specific targets. CD19, CD138, CD27, and ALDH have been regarded as markers for MMSCs; however, none of them can reliably identify MMSCs. Therefore, identifying unique markers of MMSCs is crucial. Nestin, a class-VI intermediate filament protein, was originally described as a marker of neuroepithelial stem/progenitor cells. Recently, nestin has been reported to be a useful marker and therapeutic target of cancer stem cell (CSC) in solid tumors, reflecting its importance in drug resistance and poor prognosis. Although nestin has been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in MM, its biological role in MM has not yet been thoroughly explored. This review summarizes the latest research progress of nestin in MM, including the characteristics of nestin, its role in CSCs across different cancers, the current status and cutting-edge detection technologies of MMSC, involved signaling pathways and clinical relevance in MM. It emphasizes that nestin is a more specific and effective potential therapeutic target for MMSC.

MeSH

Cells, Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission, Neoplasms, Stem Cells, Multiple Myeloma, Therapeutics, Nestin, Prognosis