PRL-3 promotes a positive feedback loop between STAT1/2-induced gene expression and glycolysis in multiple myeloma

Over 34 000 patients are diagnosed yearly with multiple myeloma (MM), which remains a fatal malignancy. Expression of the phosphatase PRL-3 is associated with poor prognosis in MM patients, and Vandsemb et al. have demonstrated that PRL-3 contributes to enhanced MM cell fitness through activation of a glycolysis-associated feedback loop. PRL-3 resulted in increased expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and 2 (STAT2) and increased glycolysis. Increased glucose metabolism in turn activated STAT1/2 and interferon 1-related genes. This discovery advances the MM field by providing a new potential treatment avenue.