Next generation proteomics with drug sensitivity screening identifies sub-clones informing therapeutic and drug development strategies for multiple myeloma patients

With the introduction of novel therapeutic agents, survival in Multiple Myeloma (MM) has increased in recent years. However, drug-resistant clones inevitably arise and lead to disease progression and death. The current International Myeloma Working Group response criteria are broad and make it difficult to clearly designate resistant and responsive patients thereby hampering proteo-genomic analysis for informative biomarkers for sensitivity. In this proof-of-concept study we addressed these challenges by combining an ex-vivo drug sensitivity testing platform with state-of-the-art proteomics analysis. 35 CD138-purified MM samples were taken from patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed MM and exposed to therapeutic agents from five therapeutic drug classes including Bortezomib, Quizinostat, Lenalidomide, Navitoclax and PF-04691502. Comparative proteomic analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry objectively determined the most and least sensitive patient groups. Using this approach several proteins of biological significance were identified in each drug class. In three of the five classes focal adhesion-related proteins predicted low sensitivity, suggesting that targeting this pathway could modulate cell adhesion mediated drug resistance. Using Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis, strong predictive power for the specificity and sensitivity of these potential biomarkers was identified. This approach has the potential to yield predictive theranostic protein panels that can inform therapeutic decision making.Peer reviewe

A germline exome analysis reveals harmful POT1 variants in multiple myeloma patients and families

Peer reviewe

Prognostic significance of esterase gene expression in multiple myeloma

Background Esterase enzymes differ in substrate specificity and biological function and may display dysregulated expression in cancer. This study evaluated the biological significance of esterase expression in multiple myeloma (MM). Methods For gene expression profiling and evaluation of genomic variants in the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) cohort, bone marrow aspirates were obtained from patients with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) or relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM). CD138+ plasma cells were enriched and used for RNA sequencing and analysis, and to evaluate genomic variation. The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Relating Clinical Outcomes in MM to Personal Assessment of Genetic Profile (CoMMpass) dataset was used for validation of the findings from FIMM. Results MM patients (NDMM, n = 56; RRMM, n = 78) provided 171 bone marrow aspirates (NDMM, n = 56; RRMM, n = 115). Specific esterases exhibited relatively high or low expression in MM, and expression of specific esterases (UCHL5, SIAE, ESD, PAFAH1B3, PNPLA4 and PON1) was significantly altered on progression from NDMM to RRMM. High expression of OVCA2, PAFAH1B3, SIAE and USP4, and low expression of PCED1B, were identified as poor prognostic markers (P <0.05). The MMRF CoMMpass dataset provided validation that higher expression of PAFAH1B3 and SIAE, and lower expression of PCED1B, were associated with poor prognosis. Conclusions Esterase gene expression levels change as patients progress from NDMM to RRMM. High expression of OVCA2, PAFAH1B3, USP4 and SIAE, and low expression of PCED1B, are poor prognostic markers in MM, suggesting a role for these esterases in myeloma biology.Peer reviewe

Monimuotoinen myelooma

Teema : Hematologiset syövät. English summaryPeer reviewe

Patient Preferences for Multiple Myeloma Treatments : A Multinational Qualitative Study

Background: Investigational and marketed drugs for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) are associated with a range of characteristics and uncertainties regarding long term side-effects and efficacy. This raises questions about what matters most to patients living with this disease. This study aimed to understand which characteristics MM patients find most important, and hence should be included as attributes and levels in a subsequent quantitative preference survey among MM patients. Methods: This qualitative study involved: (i) a scoping literature review, (ii) discussions with MM patients (n = 24) in Belgium, Finland, Romania, and Spain using Nominal Group Technique, (iii) a qualitative thematic analysis including multi-stakeholder discussions. Results: MM patients voiced significant expectations and hopes that treatments would extend their lives and reduce their cancer signs and symptoms. Participants however raised concerns about life-threatening side-effects that could cause permanent organ damage. Bone fractures and debilitating neuropathic effects (such as chronic tingling sensations) were highlighted as major issues reducing patients' independence and mobility. Patients discussed the negative impact of the following symptoms and side-effects on their daily activities: thinking problems, increased susceptibility to infections, reduced energy, pain, emotional problems, and vision problems. MM patients were concerned with uncertainties regarding the durability of positive treatment outcomes, and the cause, severity, and duration of their symptoms and side-effects. Patients feared short-term positive treatment responses complicated by permanent, severe side-effects and symptoms. Conclusions: This study gained an in-depth understanding of the treatment and disease-related characteristics and types of attribute levels (severity, duration) that are most important to MM patients. Results from this study argue in favor of MM drug development and individual treatment decision-making that focuses not only on extending patients' lives but also on addressing those symptoms and side-effects that significantly impact MM patients' quality of life. This study underscores a need for transparent communication toward MM patients about MM treatment outcomes and uncertainties regarding their long-term efficacy and safety. Finally, this study may help drug developers and decision-makers understand which treatment outcomes and uncertainties are most important to MM patients and therefore should be incorporated in MM drug development, evaluation, and clinical practice.Peer reviewe

Miten turvataan myelooman yhdenvertainen hoito tulevaisuudessa?

Myelooman vuosittainen ilmaantuvuus on pysynyt vakaana, mutta ­kehittyneiden hoitojen ansiosta potilaiden elinikä pitenee. Siksi hoidossa olevien potilaiden määrä kasvaa.Kliinisen hematologian erikoislääkärien määrän huomattava vaje voi vaarantaa hoidon yhdenvertaisen toteutumisen.Hoidon kustannukset kasvavat pääasiassa lääkekustannusten nousun vuoksi. Lääkekustannuksia pyritään hallitsemaan erilaisilla riskinjako-­sopimuksilla.Kliiniset lääketutkimukset tarjoavat arvokasta varhaisvaiheen käyttö­kokemusta ja konkreettista säästöä sairaaloiden lääkebudjetteihin. Niiden toteuttaminen sujuvasti rinnakkain rutiinihoidon kanssa tulisi mahdollistaa.</p

Miten turvataan myelooman yhdenvertainen hoito tulevaisuudessa?

Vertaisarvioitu.• Myelooman vuosittainen ilmaantuvuus on pysynyt vakaana, mutta kehittyneiden hoitojen ansiosta potilaiden elinikä pitenee. Siksi hoidossa olevien potilaiden määrä kasvaa. • Kliinisen hematologian erikoislääkärien määrän huomattava vaje voi vaarantaa hoidon yhdenvertaisen toteutumisen. • Hoidon kustannukset kasvavat pääasiassa lääkekustannusten nousun vuoksi. Lääkekustannuksia pyritään hallitsemaan erilaisilla riskinjako- sopimuksilla. • Kliiniset lääketutkimukset tarjoavat arvokasta varhaisvaiheen käyttö- kokemusta ja konkreettista säästöä sairaaloiden lääkebudjetteihin. Niiden toteuttaminen sujuvasti rinnakkain rutiinihoidon kanssa tulisi mahdollistaa.Peer reviewe