Novel genetic test identifies ‘ultra-high-risk’ multiple myeloma patients

Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR; London, UK) have developed a genetic test capable of identifying a mutational signature which confers an 11-fold increased mortality risk in multiple myeloma patients. The work, published in Leukemia, could result in the development of targeted treatment options for patients with high-risk aggressive disease.The work was carried out as part of the Phase III Myeloma XI trial – which compared the efficacy of a standard chemotherapy regimen with a range of targeted treatments – and involved the examination of 329 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Scientists identified individuals with aberrant genetic...