De Smedt E, Maes K, Verhulst S, Lui H, Kassambara A, Maes A, Robert N, Heirman C, Cakana A, Hose D, Breckpot K, van Grunsven LA, De Veirman K, Menu E, Vanderkerken K, Moreaux J, De Bruyne E. Loss of RASSF4 Expression in Multiple Myeloma Promotes RAS-Driven Malignant Progression. Cancer Research. 2018. Download the PDF
Summary of the Study
RASSF4, a pro-apoptotic RAS effector, is frequently silenced in cancers but its role in multiple myeloma (MM) was previously unknown. This study demonstrates that RASSF4 loss contributes to RAS-driven MM progression and drug resistance.
Key findings
RASSF4 downregulation correlates with disease progression and worse prognosis
Promoter methylation of RASSF4 is associated with transcriptional silencing and can be reversed by epigenetic drugs
RASSF4 overexpression:
- Induces G2 arrest and apoptosis
- Enhances sensitivity to bortezomib
- Potentiates the effect of trametinib (MEK1/2 inhibitor)
Combined kinase and epigenetic targeting showed synergistic anti-MM activity
In this study, Alboukadel Kassambara contributed to the bioinformatic analysis of promoter methylation and provided GenomicScape access for gene expression profiling and survival association analysis of RASSF4 in multiple myeloma.
Citation
Publication: In Cancer Research
Date: March 1, 2018
Type: Journal Article
PDF: Download the PDF
Scientific Contributions
Here are more scientific abstracts authored or co-authored by Alboukadel Kassambara. These contributions span computational biology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, machine learning, and multi-omics, with a focus on immuno-oncology and translational research.