Pim-2 Kinase Regulates Energy Metabolism in Multiple Myeloma

Simple Summary This study reveals the role of Pim-2 kinase in regulating the metabolism and proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to the literature because, using patient data as well as cell line-based metabolomic studies, we establish that Pim-2 kinase directly regulates glycolysis, energy production, and survival and that Pim-2 is a potential target for MM treatment. Pim-2 kinase is overexpressed in multiple myeloma (MM) and is associated with poor prognosis in patients with MM. Changes in quantitative metabolism, glycolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation pathways are reportedly markers of all tumor cells. However, the relationship between Pim-2 and glycolysis in MM cells remains unclear. In the present study, we explored the relationship between Pim-2 and glycolysis. We found that Pim-2 inhibitors inhibited glycolysis and energy production in MM cells. Inhibition of Pim-2 decreased the proliferation of MM tumor cells and increased their susceptibility to apoptosis. Our data suggest that reduced Pim-2 expression inhibits the energy metabolism process in MM, thereby inhibiting tumor progression. Hence, Pim-2 is a potential metabolic target for MM treatment.