BLK
Overview
BLK (BLK Proto-Oncogene, Src Family Tyrosine Kinase) encodes a non-receptor tyrosine kinase involved in B-cell receptor signaling and lymphoid development. In multiple myeloma (MM), BLK is co-deleted within a recurrent homozygous-deletion peak at chromosome 8p23.1 along with MSRA, PINX1, and SOX7.
Alterations observed in the corpus
- Co-deleted within the 8p23.1 homozygous-deletion peak in multiple myeloma (MM, n=153 patients with copy-number data); the deletion encompasses 18 genes; MM relevance of BLK at this locus had not been previously established at the time of publication PMID:24434212
Cancer types (linked)
- Plasma cell myeloma (PCM/MM): recurrent homozygous co-deletion at 8p23.1 identified by GISTIC in 153 MM patients; whether BLK is the functional target of this deletion versus a bystander remains unclear PMID:24434212
Co-occurrence and mutual exclusivity
- Co-deleted with MSRA, PINX1, and SOX7 in the 8p23.1 locus; deletion occurs in the context of widespread NF-kB pathway alterations in MM PMID:24434212
Therapeutic relevance
- No targeted therapy data. BLK is a Src-family kinase and may be susceptible to Src kinase inhibitors in principle, but no clinical evidence exists for BLK as a therapeutic target in MM PMID:24434212
Open questions
- Whether BLK or another of the 18 co-deleted genes at 8p23.1 is the functional tumor-suppressor target is not resolved; functional studies are needed PMID:24434212
Sources
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