AUTHOR=Al-Odat Omar S. , von Suskil Max , Chitren Robert J. , Elbezanti Weam O. , Srivastava Sandeep K. , Budak-Alpddogan Tulin , Jonnalagadda Subash C. , Aggarwal Bharat B. , Pandey Manoj TITLE=Mcl-1 Inhibition: Managing Malignancy in Multiple Myeloma JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2021 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.699629 DOI=10.3389/fphar.2021.699629 ISSN=1663-9812 ABSTRACT=Cancer begins when cells start to grow out of control. This phenotype is acquired via a combination of increased cell growth and reduced occurrence of apoptosis. The expression of anti-apoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family, particularly myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1), play a crucial role in the survival and existence of MM cells through the avoidance of programmed cell death. Selective inhibition of the Mcl-1 protein is regarded as a solid anti-myeloma strategy through the restoration of normal cellular apoptosis. Over the last decade, the development of selective Mcl-1 inhibitors has seen remarkable progress and this new class of drug appears to now be a viable opportunity to help overcome the current challenges in MM treatment. This literature presents the most prominent BH3 mimetic and semi-BH3 mimetic selective Mcl-1 inhibitors, the roles they can play in both monotherapy and combination therapies for the treatment of Mcl-1 dependent cancers, how this new avenue of treatment will help open new doors for MM patients and showcase a new successful and promising strategy in the BH3 mimetic drug class.