Toll-like receptors: Expression and involvement in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple Myeloma (MM) cells express and respond to a broad range of TLRs. Accumulating evidences suggest that TLRs act as double-edged sword in MM biology. Indeed, TLR9 or TLR3 ligands could enhance immunity against MM cells or directly induce cell apoptosis, whereas various TLR agonists could induce MM survival, proliferation, and immune escape. This review is focused on the heterogeneous expression and function of TLRs in MM and on the potential implication of TLR ligands of infectious or endogenous origin in MM emergence, resistance, or progression. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.