Palmitic acid adjunctive therapy upregulates bax/bcl-2 ratio and displays apoptosis as mode of anti-tumorigenic effects in multiple myeloma cells

The promising role of palmitic acid (PA) as a tumor-suppressing agent is gaining increasing evidence. Studies support its function demonstrating a wide spectrum of anti-tumor effects, enhanced sensitivity to anti-tumor drugs, and immunity-boosting properties, which contribute to its role as a broad anti-neoplastic agent. Our study encompassed on the molecular mechanisms of Palmitic acid specifically against multiple myeloma, a hematological malignancy. We investigated its complementary effects with known chemotherapeutic agent, Lenalidomide, in vitro. In this study, the cytotoxicity of PA on myeloma cells correlated in a dose-dependent manner and significant apoptotic effects (p < 0.001) with PA were achieved in combination with Lenalidomide even at the lower doses and cell arrest at G1 phase. The apoptosis occurred successively with rise in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio & through mitochondrion membrane potential dysregulation. This study intends toward Palmitic acid as a candidate molecule having potent anti-cancer efficacy for multiple myeloma.