Shikonin Promotes Apoptosis in Multiple Myeloma Cells Through the PKM2-AMPK-PGC1α Metabolic Axis

Background

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma malignancy. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), a rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis, is involved in the metabolic reprogramming of tumors. Shikonin, a natural compound, exhibits anticancer potential. However, whether modulating PKM2 with shikonin can be used as an adjuvant chemotherapeutic strategy for MM remains to be elucidated. We explored the effects of shikonin on the metabolic pathways in MM cells.