COMMPASS STUDY ANALYSIS – THE LATEST DISCOVERIES
Data from the CoMMpass Study continues to deliver information of critical importance to patients, as evidenced by the
latest insights reported at the 58 th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego:
Several genetic risk factors for early relapse are identified from the CoMMpass Study. Certain genetic changes in
myeloma cells have been found to predict a greater likelihood of early relapse (which is a relapse within 18 months of the
initial treatment). These findings are similar to changes seen in other types of cancer. New precision drugs are targeting
some of these changes by using therapies designed to combat a patient’s specific disease type. Several of these targeted
therapy trials are already underway in the MMRC.
New research has shown that some myeloma patients have higher
levels of new targets, or neoantigens, on the surface of their cancer
cells. These patients tend to have worse outcomes when they
receive standard myeloma treatments. However, this new
finding points the way toward a possible precision-based
therapy for this class of myeloma patients: they may
The MMRF has proven itself a leader in
be excellent candidates for immunotherapies, such
as checkpoint inhibitors, which help a patient’s own
scientific innovation. The MMRF has
immune system recognize and kill myeloma cells.
emerged as a leader in data sharing, they
have donated their data to the GDC with
the goal of improving the lives of their
patients and cancer patients worldwide.
– Louis M. Staudt, MD, PhD
National Cancer Institute
“The MMRF has proven itself a leader in scientific
innovation,” says Louis M. Staudt, MD, PhD. “The MMRF
has emerged as a leader in data sharing, they have donated
their data to the GDC with the goal of improving the
lives of their patients and cancer patients worldwide.”
Continued o pen access to the latest information from
the CoMMpass study, the most comprehensive genomic
data set in cancer today, ensures the fastest possible
development of new precision treatments for myeloma
patients and may ultimately lead to the discovery of a cure.
ACCEL E RATO R • S U M M ER 2017
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