Investigating the Role of CD45 in the Pathogenesis and Disease Progression in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy that shows continuous spread to multiple bone marrow and extramedullary sites. This thesis aims to study the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon. CD45, a cell surface receptor, is associated with disease progression. Using a novel genome-editing technology, this thesis identifies several molecular targets of CD45 and demonstrates that the loss of CD45 expression promotes the metastatic progression of MM. This thesis highlights the potential use of CD45 as a biomarker for early detection of metastatic MM.