We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Breakthrough Method to Enable Early Risk Stratification of Deadly Blood Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 04 Dec 2024
Print article
Image: The breakthrough by Dr. Sabine Mai and her team enables early risk-stratification of smoldering multiple myeloma (Photo courtesy of University of Manitoba)
Image: The breakthrough by Dr. Sabine Mai and her team enables early risk-stratification of smoldering multiple myeloma (Photo courtesy of University of Manitoba)

Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer, with patients typically surviving an average of eight years after diagnosis. Those with smoldering multiple myeloma experience no symptoms until the disease advances to multiple myeloma. However, there is currently no reliable method in clinical settings to predict which patients will progress to multiple myeloma. Now, new research has demonstrated a novel technique that can accurately predict the likelihood that a patient with smoldering multiple myeloma will develop full-blown multiple myeloma.

In a groundbreaking study, researchers at the University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Canada) utilized three-dimensional (3D) imaging and microscopy to examine genetic material within a patient's cells, revealing genomic changes and instability. By focusing on the telomeres, the protective ends of chromosomes, the 3D measurement tools developed by the team could determine whether a cell is stable or cancerous, even before symptoms emerge.

To achieve these pioneering results, the researchers employed single-cell nuclear imaging using 3D analysis. They also applied super-resolution imaging to observe cancer-related DNA and the genomic structure at a nanometer scale. This advanced technology holds promise not only for identifying smoldering multiple myeloma progression but also for detecting other types of cancer. The findings, co-published in the American Journal of Hematology, build on previous research identifying thyroid cancer histotypes published last year.

“This breakthrough allows us to risk-stratify smoldering multiple myeloma to identify the subgroup with high risk of progression, which allows for tailored treatments of this risk group,” said Dr. Sabine Mai, UM Canada Research Chair in genomic instability and nuclear architecture in cancer, who led the research team. “Equally important, the published assay [lab procedure] allows us to monitor the larger subgroup of patients with stable smoldering multiple myeloma.”

If we apply the right treatments early enough, the outcome will be the increased progression-free survival of patients — and potentially someday, a cure for myeloma,” added Dr. Mai.

New
Gold Member
ZIKA Virus Test
ZIKA ELISA IgG
Gold Member
C-Reactive Protein Reagent
CRP Ultra Wide Range Reagent Kit
New
Chagas Disease Test
Simple/Stick Chagas/WB
New
Gold Member
Measles Test
MEASLES ELISA IgG/IgM

Print article

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: A simple blood test could transform how asthma is identified and monitored (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Simple Blood Test Diagnoses Asthma and Determines Severity

Currently, diagnosing asthma requires advanced breathing tests, typically available only at specialized centers, which can be challenging for young children. While existing treatments like inhaled steroids... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The breakthrough system offers a faster way to diagnose bloodborne infections (Photo courtesy of Melio)

Culture-Free Platform Rapidly Identifies Blood Stream Infections

Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening condition that results from bloodstream infections in newborns under 28 days old. Due to their immature immune systems, newborns are especially vulnerable to infections.... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Human tear film protein sampling methods (Photo courtesy of Clinical Proteomics. 2024 Mar 13;21:23. doi: 10.1186/s12014-024-09475-8)

New Lens Method Analyzes Tears for Early Disease Detection

Bodily fluids, including tears and saliva, carry proteins that are released from different parts of the body. The presence of specific proteins in these biofluids can be a sign of health issues.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The game-changing immunoassay diagnostics platform delivers results from whole blood sample in 10 minutes (Photo courtesy of SpinChip)

bioMérieux Acquires Norwegian Immunoassay Start-Up SpinChip Diagnostics

bioMérieux (Marcy l’Étoile, France) has agreed to acquire SpinChip Diagnostics (Oslo, Norway), the developer of a game-changing immunoassay diagnostics platform. The small benchtop analyzer is well adapted... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.