The proposal aims to revolutionize the assessment and treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) by introducing liquid biopsy techniques as alternatives to invasive bone marrow biopsies. Despite recent therapeutic advances, MM remains incurable, necessitating frequent biopsies for optimal treatment. However, standard bone marrow biopsies have limitations, such as representing only a single site and missing dynamic … Continued
The objective of this proposal is to develop antigen-presenting nanoparticles (APNs) to program virus-specific T cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). Currently, CAR T cell therapy for MM is hindered by complex and costly manufacturing processes. By leveraging APNs to program circulating T … Continued
AIM 1 aims to identify APOBEC3B (A3B) targets and pathways affected in multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Using knockdown and overexpression techniques, researchers will assess the functional impact of A3B on MM cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and DNA damage. RNA-Seq and proteomics will provide mechanistic insights into A3B’s role in MM, potentially identifying affected pathways. AIM … Continued
The Edit-SMM project aims to revolutionize the management of smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). Building on the iStopMM study, it seeks to improve early detection and treatment to potentially prevent the progression to full-blown multiple myeloma (MM), enhancing patient outcomes. The Edit-SMM analyzes epidemiological data, assesses the efficacy and safety of early treatments, and employs novel … Continued
Amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis is an incurable rare monoclonal plasma cell dyscrasia closely related to multiple myeloma. The clonal plasma cells produce excessive misfolded monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains, forming extracellular insoluble fibrils, destroying tissue architecture, causing functional organ damage, and eventually leading to death. Current chemotherapies only target clonal plasma cells to suppress the … Continued
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) have proven outstanding efficacy and are a promising option for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM), but no plateau is observed in progression-free survival (PFS) curves and relapses happen. One of the mechanisms of relapse is impaired T-cell persistence/potency due to T-cell exhaustion. Checkpoint inhibitory … Continued
Dr. Francesca Cottini is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology at the Ohio State University and IMS member since 2020. She is a physician scientist with clinical and research expertise in Multiple Myeloma (MM). She mastered translational and basic research as a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School in the laboratory of Dr. … Continued
The study investigates mitochondria as crucial signaling hubs in cancer cells, particularly in multiple myeloma (MM), which may rely heavily on mitochondrial functions due to heightened stress experiences. The research focuses on the mitochondrial matrix protease ClpP, found to be essential for myeloma cell survival. Initial findings revealed ClpP’s role in regulating housekeeping autophagy and … Continued
The overarching goal of this study was to characterize and develop strategies to harness the immunomodulatory properties of the NF-kB inhibitor IT848 for multiple myeloma (MM) therapy. IT848 is a novel small molecule NF-κB inhibitor that we recently developed as a joint effort with our biotech partner ImmuneTarget Inc. IT848 is a direct inhibitor of … Continued
The goal of this project was to test and characterize a BCMA targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that we expressed on invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT) for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The advantage of iNKT cells is that they do not cause GvDH, so are a potential “off the shelf” product which means … 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.
