Abstract 3018: Expression of oncogenic Nras and a MYC transgene in germinal center B cells induces a highly malignant multiple myeloma
Authors: Wen Zhi , Rajagopalan Adhithi , Ranheim Erik A. , Finn Remington , Pagenkopf Adam , Yun Grant , Zhou Yun , Wang Yidan , Wang Demin , Chesi Marta , Bergsagel P. Leif , Asimakopoulos Fotis , Zhang Jing 
Published: August 2018

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by clonal expansion of malignant plasma cells (PCs) and aberrant production of monoclonal immunoglobulin detected as an M spike using serum protein electrophoresis. In the United States, MM represents ~15% of hematologic malignancies and is one of the few cancers increasing in incidence (e.g., 14,400 in 1996 to 30,330 in 2016, from SEER). Previously, a Vk*MYC mouse model was described, in which AID-dependent activation of MYC transgene in germinal center (GC) B cells catalyzes a highly penetrant, indolent MM after a prolonged latency. However, the indolent MM developed in Vk*MYC mice rarely progresses to a malignant stage, suggesting that additional genetic mutations are required for the malignant MM progression. Recent sequencing of paired tumor/normal samples from advanced or refractory MM patients identified that constitutive activation of Ras signaling pathway (KRAS: 23%; NRAS:20%; BRAF: 8%) associates with MM progression and therapy resistance. To determine whether oncogenic Nras promotes the progression of Myc-induced indolent MM to a malignant stage, we generated NrasLSL Q61R/+; Vk*MYC; IgG1-Cre (VQ) mice along with single mutant mice Vk*MYC; IgG1-Cre (Vk) or NrasLSL Q61R/+; IgG1-Cre (Q61R). To boost NrasQ61R expression in GC B cells, 6-7 weeks old mice were immunized with NP-CGG. A significant fraction of VQ mice developed M-spike after immunization and subsequently died of a highly malignant MM. The MM developed in some mice were restricted in bone marrow and spleen and thus mimicked majority of MM patients, while MM developed in other mice was primarily located in lymph nodes and represented patients with extramedullary MM. Both types of MM cells displayed hyperproliferation and hyperactivation of AKT and ERK pathways. They could be cultured for several weeks with their original stromal cells and in the presence of Il-6. The cultured MM cells could be easily infected or transfected. Upon transplantation, both types of MM cells caused a rapid lethality (within 16 and 4 weeks respectively) in secondary and tertiary recipients and preserved the initial locations of donor MM cells. MM recipient mice developed bone lesions and/or fractures characteristic of MM patients. Preliminary preclinical studies indicated that both types of MM cells were resistant to Bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor commonly used in treating MM patients, and AZD6244, a potent MEK inhibitor. Additional tests of combinatorial therapies are ongoing. Taken together, we generated a novel mouse model in which activation of Vk*MYC and oncogenic Nras in GC B cells results in a highly malignant, transplantable MM. This model can serve as a platform to investigate pathogenesis of highly malignant multiple myeloma and test the efficacy of novel therapeutic agents.

Citation Format: Zhi Wen, Adhithi Rajagopalan, Erik A. Ranheim, Remington Finn, Adam Pagenkopf, Grant Yun, Yun Zhou, Yidan Wang, Demin Wang, Marta Chesi, P. Leif Bergsagel, Fotis Asimakopoulos, Jing Zhang. Expression of oncogenic Nras and a MYC transgene in germinal center B cells induces a highly malignant multiple myeloma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3018.