The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment in multiple myeloma has been recognized as an important player in the development of the tumor, that allows the homing of clonal plasma cells (PC) to the BM; the spread of tumor by the bloodstream to a second site; the generation of paracrine factors that are involved in the survival, … Continued
Using comprehensive immune profiling techniques, I will investigate the role that immune dysfunction plays throughout the myeloma disease course. This includes immune profiling in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma on immunomodulatory drugs as well as in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients receiving bispecific antibodies. Through this immune profiling we hope to identify immune … Continued
This project aims to molecularly characterize and target Protein Kinase D2 (PRKD2) in t(4;14) multiple myeloma (MM), a high-risk subgroup of MM with poor outcomes. Specific aims include validating the functional role of PRKD2 in MM cells through transcriptomic and epigenomic studies, and evaluating the therapeutic potential of targeting PRKD2 and its downstream pathways using … Continued
The project focuses on developing a novel CAR-T cell therapy aimed at treating multiple myeloma by utilizing advanced gene editing technologies to engineer a universal CAR-T cell product targeting SLAMF7 and BCMA. The approach involves strategic gene modifications to enhance the therapy’s compatibility and effectiveness while minimizing immune rejection and reducing the risk of adverse … Continued
This project aims to dissect chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy in myeloma patients at a single-cell resolution to understand the factors influencing treatment success. Specific aims include analyzing factors associated with CAR T cell manufacturing success and failures, predicting CAR T cell expansion post-infusion, correlating T cell composition with side effects, identifying markers … Continued
The accurate stratification of multiple myeloma (MM) patients by progression risk, into Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) with lower disease burden of 1% progression to MM and Smoldering Myeloma (SMM) with a 10% risk of advancing to MM, remains an urgent clinical need. Basing this stratification on whole genome sequencing (WGS) combined with single … Continued
This study aims to comprehensively characterize the genomic and immune landscape of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients treated with daratumumab-based quadruplet induction therapy (dara-quads). Preliminary data suggests that standard prognostic scores are inadequate for predicting outcomes, necessitating the inclusion of complex genomic and immune features. Specific Aim 1 focuses on identifying genomic features associated … Continued
Preliminary data suggest that HR landscape promotes metabolic reprogramming to sustain high-proliferation rates accompanied by a higher oxidative state compared with standard risk disease. Given these premises, this project aims to explore the potential benefit of metabolism-targeted therapy in HR-MM patients. For this purpose, we plan: 1) to evaluate multiomics (including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) and … Continued
The research proposed in this grant stems from the hypothesis that phenotypic hierarchies between distinct clonal cells may explain MM ontogeny and relapse patterns, and that through innovative approaches this can be harnessed to provide better biomarkers of treatment response and vulnerabilities to eradicate residual cells. I propose an unbiased simultaneous analysis of B-cell receptor … Continued
The specific aims of this proposed study aim to enhance CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma by addressing the mechanisms of resistance and improving persistence of CAR T cells armored with BCL-xL. Aim 1 seeks to determine the role of MM cell death ligands in the resistance of BCL-xL armored CARs to activation-induced cell … Continued
The International Myeloma Society is a professional, scientific, and medical society established to bring together clinical and experimental scientists involved in the study of myeloma. The purpose of this society is to promote research, education, clinical studies (including diagnosis and treatment), workshops, conferences, and symposia on all aspects of multiple myeloma worldwide.
The IMS is a membership organization comprised of basic research scientists, and clinical investigators in the field along with physicians and other healthcare practitioners.
