|
MMRF, TGen to lead multiple myeloma
study
May 2012
SHARING OPTIONS:
NORWALK, Conn.—The Multiple Myeloma Research
Foundation
(MMRF) recently announced a multi-year oncology research partnership with
several partners including the Translational Genomics Research Institute
(TGen), Spectrum Health and the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI). The
collaboration will provide a broad range of genomic services and
analyses to
help drive the success of a landmark 1,000-patient study on the molecular
segments and variation of multiple myeloma which has been
launched by the MMRF.
Under the agreement, TGen will provide a central hub where
patient samples
will be analyzed using an unprecedented breadth of genomics
platforms. The data to emerge from this work will provide the most
comprehensive view of
myeloma at the molecular level and will enable the
research community to better understand what drives a patient's response to
treatment or disease
progression and will also generate new leads for targeted
drug development.
The MMRF began
enrolling patients in the landmark study
Relating Clinical Outcomes in MM to Personal Assessment of Genetic
Profile—known as CoMMpass—last year through a network of academic and community
clinical centers. Study
participants will provide an initial tissue sample at
the time at which they are newly diagnosed, and will provide follow-up tissue
samples at the time
of first and additional relapse. Sequential analysis of these
tissue samples will shed new light on the relationship between molecular
variation and
patients' response or resistance to therapy.
"We are proud to support the MMRF's unparalleled
research
initiative, which has tremendous potential to make a significant difference in
the way multiple myeloma is treated," said Dr. John Carpten,
professor and
director of TGen's Integrated Cancer Genomics division, in a statement. "The
rigor and breadth of this effort will enable a much more
sophisticated
understanding of the molecular changes that give rise to myeloma, and that
affect a patient's course of disease. We believe the
collective data to emerge
along the way will provide an invaluable resource for innovators to design the
next significant breakthroughs against this
incurable disease."
Analyses during the study will also apply and build on
insights from the
Multiple Myeloma Genomics Initiative (MMGI) sequencing
project to identify specific subgroups of multiple myeloma patients. For
example, the study will
involve sequencing tissue samples using techniques
perfected in the MMGI and will test for mutations activating the BRAF gene,
which were found in a
small percentage of multiple myeloma patients in the
sequencing project.
"We are excited to
build on our earlier partnership with
TGen. Their dedicated commitment to multiple myeloma genomic research and
earlier achievements will play a
critical role in the success of this
initiative," said Dr. Louise M. Perkins, chief scientific officer at the MMRF.
"The strong collaboration of
academia, the clinical community and industry in
this landmark project will enable us to translate new information into improved
treatment approaches
more efficiently and effectively than ever before."
TGen will be working with VARI to centrally collect
and
store tissue samples and extract DNA and RNA from samples for next-generation
sequencing analysis including whole-genome and RNA-sequencing. Using
the
Program for Biospecimen Science and its biorepository at VARI, Dr. Scott
Jewell's program will use collection and biobanking best practices to
centrally
manage the collection and biobanking for this study. VARI will process the
specimens, isolate the cancer cell population and prepare
derivatives for
genomic analysis at TGen. VARI will use the VARI/TGen bioinventory software to
assist in the tracking and management of the
biospecimens throughout the life
of the project.
Spectrum Health, which is accredited by the
College of
American Pathology and is also a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments
(CLIA) laboratory, will provide the BRAF gene analysis and a
flow cytometric
immunophenotype of each patient's myeloma using state-of-the art analytics in
its clinical diagnostics laboratory.
"We are very excited to be a partner in this effort to determine
how to conquer this disease," said Lisa A.
Shannon, chief operating officer of
Spectrum Health Grand Rapids. "This is very important research and we are proud
to lend our expertise and
experience to the effort. Partnerships like this
expand the opportunity for success in conquering diseases like multiple
myeloma."
This study is currently enrolling patients at clinical
centers throughout the United States. Back |
Home |
FAQs |
Search |
Submit News Release |
Site Map |
About Us |
Advertising |
Resources |
Contact Us |
Terms & Conditions |
Privacy Policy
|