Our laboratory has recently found that loss of a tumor suppressor gene, PTEN, is responsible for myeloma cell survival and growth through activation of a signaling pathway called P13K/Akt/NF-kB. We would like to test if this pathway activation and PTEN deletion are also present in patient samples. We will also analyze if inhibitors targeting this pathway can effectively kill myeloma cells either alone or together with
antimyeloma drugs. Our results may provide new prognostic factors and novel treatment options for myeloma patients.