biostudies-literatureSong Ythe National Key Research and Development Program of Chinathe Military Logistics Research Project Health Special Project15406https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11224322biostudies-literatureUnknown14(1)Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) experience relapse and drug resistance; therefore, novel treatments are essential. Clotrimazole (CTZ) is a wide-spectrum antifungal drug with antitumor activity. However, CTZ's effects on MM are unclear. We investigated CTZ's effect on MM cell proliferation and apoptosis induction mechanisms. CTZ's effects on MM.1S, NCI- H929, KMS-11, and U266 cell growth were investigated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The apoptotic cell percentage was quantified with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/7-amino actinomycin D staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cell cycle progression were evaluated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured via fluorescence microscopy. Expression of apoptosis-related and nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaliScientific reportsClotrimazole inhibits growth of multiple myeloma cells in vitro via G0/G1 arrest and mitochondrial apoptosis.PMC11224322NCRCG-PLAGH-202300102021YFC2701704Lu XZhang HBo YGeng JChen HSong YfalseClotrimazole inhibits growth of multiple myeloma cells in vitro via G0/G1 arrest and mitochondrial apoptosis.Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) experience relapse and drug resistance; therefore, novel treatments are essential. Clotrimazole (CTZ) is a wide-spectrum antifungal drug with antitumor activity. However, CTZ's effects on MM are unclear. We investigated CTZ's effect on MM cell proliferation and apoptosis induction mechanisms. CTZ's effects on MM.1S, NCI- H929, KMS-11, and U266 cell growth were investigated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The apoptotic cell percentage was quantified with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/7-amino actinomycin D staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cell cycle progression were evaluated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured via fluorescence microscopy. Expression of apoptosis-related and nuclear factor (NF)-κB signali2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jul2025-04-21T16:15:05.743Z2025-04-21T16:15:05.743ZS-EPMC112243223896539710.1038/s41598-024-66367-5