-Findings Point to Near-term Potential for Personalized-Medicine Screenings-
-'Bank on a Cure(R)' Data to be Presented at the 2005 ASH Annual Meeting-
ATLANTA, and NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Dec. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The
International Myeloma Foundation -- conducting research and providing
education, advocacy, and support for myeloma patients, families, researchers,
and physicians -- today announced that researchers are reporting individual
genetic differences that may be associated with risk factors for developing
myeloma and with adverse reactions to therapies in patients who have myeloma.
The findings were made with resources from Bank on a Cure(R), the world's
first repository of myeloma-patient DNA collected globally through large
clinical trial groups, clinical centers, hospitals, and individual patients.
The data were reported at the 47th Annual Meeting of the American Society of
Hematology (ASH).
Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is a potentially fatal bone marrow
cancer that is the second most common blood cancer after lymphomas, affecting
more than 250,000 people worldwide and its prevalence is increasing. The
findings presented at ASH demonstrate that differences in predisposition to
myeloma and its treatments may be traced to single nucleotide polymorphisms or
SNPs ("snips"), changes in a single letter in the DNA code of a gene. For
example, the higher incidence of myeloma among African Americans may be
related to SNPs that increase production of interleukin 6, or alter cell
regulation. Some SNPs may also indicate the potential for neuropathy, nausea,
bone pain and other toxic reactions to combination chemotherapy, while other
SNPs indicate risk for blood clots associated with other therapies. In all,
seven genetic variants that may influence myeloma risk and response were
identified with significant differences seen among ethnic populations.
"We are expanding on these initial findings through the development of a
custom panel of 3,500 SNPs that will enable simultaneous analysis of a larger
number of factors than was possible until now, and we have begun testing this
custom 'gene chip'," said Gareth Morgan, M.D., of the Royal Marsden Hospital
in London, co-director of the Bank and co-author of Bank on a Cure
presentations at ASH. "As we develop this custom SNP analysis, we will be
able to move closer to the goal of personalized medicine, where finally we can
better tailor treatments to individual patient needs."
The data from Bank on a Cure also showed unexpected findings. For example,
although TNF-alpha, a protein associated with inflammation is elevated in
myeloma patients, it may actually delay onset of the disease because of its
role in other immunological processes.
"What this says to us is factors affecting myeloma are likely to be of the
result of complex interactions of multiple genetic factors that are associated
with risk and adverse response to treatments," said Brian Van Ness, Ph.D. of
the University of Minnesota, co-director of the Bank and co-author of Bank on
a Cure presentations at ASH. "Bank on a Cure has been invaluable in providing
the large numbers of samples required for these studies, along with equipment
and analytical tools, and the Bank's unique resources will be even more
important as we use the new custom chip to look at larger numbers of genetic
variations that are likely responsible for the development of myeloma and the
outcome of treatment."
More than 3,000 DNA samples have been collected so far from myeloma
patients in groups that have been treated with conventional medications, high
dose therapies or with the novel medications. The samples along with the
custom gene chip analyzers and other high tech equipment are housed at the
University of Minnesota under the direction of Dr. Van Ness, and at the
Institute of Cancer Research in London under the direction of Dr. Morgan. The
International Myeloma Foundation expects the number of samples collected to
double in the next two years.
"With a rare cancer such as myeloma it takes unprecedented collaboration
on a global scale to collect the samples we need to develop robust data, and
the Bank on a Cure has made that possible," said Brian G. M. Durie, M.D.,
chairman of the International Myeloma Foundation and co-director of Bank on a
Cure. "Our findings will help us understand the factors underlying the
development of cancer and its treatment with implications that could take us
beyond myeloma alone."
DNA samples are stored anonymously and patient information is kept at a
third, separate location to maintain confidentiality of the individuals who
contribute samples to the Bank.
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL MYELOMA FOUNDATION
The International Myeloma Foundation is the oldest and largest myeloma
organization, reaching more than 125,000 members in 113 countries worldwide.
A 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life
of myeloma patients and their families, the IMF focuses in four key areas:
research, education, support and advocacy. To date, the IMF has conducted more
than 100 educational seminars worldwide, maintains a world-renowned hotline,
and operates Bank on a Cure(R), a unique gene bank to advance myeloma
research. The IMF can be reached at (800) 452-CURE or http://www.myeloma.org.
CONTACTS: Media:
International Myeloma Foundation GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners
800-452-2873 Stephen Gendel
212-918-4650 office, 917-856-3915 at ASH
SOURCE The International Myeloma Foundation
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Related links:
http://www.myeloma.org
CONTACT:
International Myeloma Foundation,
1-800-452-2873; or Media - Stephen Gendel, of GendeLLindheim
BioCom Partners, office - +1-212-918-4650, at ASH -
+1-917-856-3915
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