Bedaquiline amplifies proteasome inhibitor efficacy and overcomes resistance in multiple myeloma

Abstract

Proteasome inhibitors (PIs) are cornerstone therapies for multiple myeloma (MM), yet resistance remains a major barrier to durable responses. To identify druggable vulnerabilities that enhance PI efficacy, we performed a small-molecule chemical screen in the presence of carfilzomib (CFZ). We identified bedaquiline (BDQ), an FDAapproved antimycobacterial agent, as a potent synergistic partner. BDQ and its fumarate salt (BDQ-F) significantly amplified CFZ-induced cytotoxicity in PI-sensitive and PI-resistant MM cells, in AL amyloidosis and other B-cell malignancies, with minimal toxicity toward normal cells. Mechanistic studies confirmed that BDQ specifically targets the ATP5F1C subunit of mitochondrial ATP synthase. BDQ-CFZ combination triggered extensive apoptosis, exacerbating proteotoxic stress and proteasome-associated pathways. BDQ specifically enhanced CFZ's inhibition of the proteasome’s chymotrypsin-like activity. Importantly, BDQ synergized with multiple proteasome and ubiquitin-activating enzyme inhibitors, but not with other standard MM agents, underscoring its selective interaction with the UPS pathway. BDQ-CFZ cotreatment markedly reduced MM cell viability and tumor burden in patient-derived cells and zebrafish xenograft models. These findings support the therapeutic repurposing of BDQ to potentiate PI efficacy and overcome resistance in MM and related B-cell malignancies.