Clinical relevance of platelets as non-invasive biomarkers in multiple myeloma – a pilot study

Overview

Project Summary

Platelets play a role in tumor biology, transforming into tumor-educated platelets (TEPs) under the influence of tumor cells. The tumor circulome, a source of cancer biomarkers, includes TEPs along with circulating tumor cells, cell-free circulating DNA, circulating RNAs, and extracellular vesicles. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a genetically complex and clinically diverse clonal plasma cell disorder often preceded by monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). Traditional methods of MM tumor DNA isolation, involving bone marrow aspirates, are invasive and have limitations in addressing the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of MM. 

Main Goals

This proposal aims to fill a crucial gap in MM research by developing a TEP-based RNA signature as a non-invasive method for diagnosing, prognosing, and monitoring MM. The goal is to provide an alternative approach for assessing treatment response and detecting early relapses, offering valuable insights independent of traditional tumor tissue assessment.

Project Details