Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Announces New Publication on CoMMpass℠ Study in Nature Genetics Defining Distinct Subtypes of Multiple Myeloma and High-Risk Genetic Markers
19 Agosto 2024 - 4:05AM
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) announced today a
new publication on the CoMMpassSM study in Nature Genetics that
defines distinct subtypes and identifies high-risk genetic markers
of multiple myeloma. These CoMMpass data represent the largest and
most complete clinical and molecular dataset in multiple myeloma.
“Despite efforts to understand the molecular basis of multiple
myeloma, predicting patient outcomes and identifying high-risk
patients has remained a challenge,” said Sagar Lonial, M.D., FACP,
lead author and Chief Medical Officer at Winship Cancer Institute
of Emory University and Professor and Chair, Department of
Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of
Medicine. “This research is another example of how CoMMpass – by
offering an unparalleled genomic map of multiple myeloma – answers
key questions about the disease and enables us to improve how we
treat patients.”
The CoMMpass study united 76 clinical sites across four
countries, enrolling 1,143 multiple myeloma patients and studying
them for at least eight years after diagnosis. CoMMpass is one of
few studies to enroll patients that reflect the United States
population, with a self-reported ancestry of 80.6% Caucasian and
17.5% Black; this enables important research into causes of the
significantly increased incidence of myeloma in the Black
community.
"We recognized the critical need for comprehensive longitudinal
data to truly understand the natural history of multiple myeloma,
especially in a real-world setting where such data is scarce,” said
Michael Andreini, President and CEO of MMRF. “As an organization
that’s spent more than 25 years fiercely committed to changing the
trajectory of multiple myeloma, we were the only ones positioned to
build a truly collaborative initiative that could unite the
multiple myeloma community and deliver the scale necessary to
produce these types of scientific findings. We’re grateful to the
clinical investigators at all the sites, and especially the
patients who helped us accelerate this important research.”
The collaborative research, led by investigators from MMRF,
Emory University, and the Translational Genomics Research Institute
(TGen), comprehensively describes the subtypes of multiple myeloma,
identifying a high-risk patient population that is associated with
a median survival of less than two years versus the average
survival rate that exceeds eight years. Of those with additional
genomic data at disease progression, just over 25% transitioned to
a rapid growth high-risk category and then had worse outcomes, with
a median survival of only 88 days.
“The data show that advanced molecular diagnostics, using whole
genome and RNA sequencing, were found to be better predictors of
disease behavior than current staging systems,” said Jonathan
Keats, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Director of Bioinformatics and
Collaborative Sequencing Center at TGen, and a senior author on the
paper. “With a better understanding of the primary molecular
features driving different subtypes of multiple myeloma and the
identification of high-risk patients at both diagnosis and
progression, we have an understanding of targets and pathways that
will inform efforts to optimize the treatment of all multiple
myeloma patients.”
About Multiple MyelomaMultiple myeloma is the
second most common blood cancer in the U.S., with 35,750 new cases
and 12,590 deaths estimated to occur this year. New targeted agents
and therapies have resulted in better outcomes, but most multiple
myeloma patients eventually relapse.
About CoMMpassSMThe MMRF CoMMpass study is a
collaboration with clinical centers and patients with active
multiple myeloma, who enrolled at diagnosis and were followed for
at least eight years. The study maps patients’ tumor genomic
profile to clinical outcomes with the goal of developing a more
complete understanding of both disease biology and the patient’s
response to treatments. With its inclusion in more than 200
published or presented studies, CoMMpass represents the largest
longitudinal genomic dataset in multiple myeloma and has led to
groundbreaking discoveries that have transformed how researchers
understand the biology of the disease. The MMRF continues to
support the use of this resource and makes the CoMMpass data
available to other researchers globally.
About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
(MMRF)The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is
the largest nonprofit in the world solely focused on accelerating
a cure for each and every multiple myeloma patient. We drive the
development and delivery of next-generation therapies, leverage
data to identify optimal and more personalized treatment
approaches, and empower myeloma patients and the broader community
with information and resources to extend their lives. Central to
our mission is our commitment to advancing health equity so that
all myeloma patients can benefit from the scientific and clinical
advances we pursue. Since our inception, the MMRF has committed
over $600 million for research, opened nearly 100 clinical trials,
and helped bring 15+ FDA-approved therapies to market, which have
tripled the life expectancy of myeloma patients. To learn more,
visit www.themmrf.org.
Media Contact: Adam SilversteinScient
PRadam@scientpr.com