Multiple myeloma (MM) is a life-threatening plasma cell malignancy. It is 2-3 times more common in blacks compared with whites. MM has a prolonged clinically detectable premalignant phase called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) that can be identified by detection of the secreted monoclonal immunoglobulin (commonly referred to as a monoclonal protein). MM is a serious incurable malignancy, and the best approach for treatment is to prevent end organ damage by early intervention. This is best done by targeting patients with an intermediate asymptomatic stage referred to as smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) that resides between MGUS and MM. Over the last 5 years of this grant we have extensively investigated the reasons why MM is more common in blacks compared with whites, demonstrated that first- degree relatives of patients with MM have a high risk of having the precursor MGUS lesion, and identified several biomarkers that predict risk of imminent progression in SMM. Our studies show that a principal reason for high risk of MM in African Americans is that they have a high risk of the precursor MGUS condition, which we also found is present at a much earlier in age in blacks compared with whites. More recently we made an important discovery using DNA sequencing based ancestry analysis that 3 specific cytogenetic abnormalities in MM account for most of the racial disparity. Our research has assumed greater urgency with recent findings that early intervention (in high-risk SMM stage) can prevent end-organ damage and prolong overall survival. The goals of this renewal are to further determine the mechanisms behind the racial disparity in incidence of MM, to identify new biomarkers for high risk SMM needing therapy, and to develop a feasible screening strategy to identify patients with SMM.
In Aim 1 we will determine the age at onset of MGUS using sensitive, mass spectrometry (MS)-based detection of monoclonal protein in >12,000 NHANES samples, and identify new cytogenetic abnormalities that are associated with predisposition to MM in blacks.
In Aim 2 we will identify new biomarkers that are associated with high risk of progression from SMM to symptomatic MM, specifically utilizing mass spectroscopic characterization of the monoclonal protein, measurement of circulating clonal plasma cells, and by studying clonal diversity and immune profile.
In Aim 3, we will institute and determine the feasibility and impact of a screening approach for identification of SMM eligible for early intervention, by targeting high risk populations, specifically African Americans, first-degree relatives, and persons with high total protein levels. Our grant will have a major impact on the management of patients with SMM and MM, especially African Americans and first-degree relatives or persons with MM.

Public Health Relevance

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a life-threatening plasma cell malignancy that is 2-3 times more common in African Americans, and is preceded by an asymptomatic stage called smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) amenable to early therapy. We need to determine why MM occurs more frequently in blacks, identify new biomarkers that predict patients with SMM at high risk of progression, and develop a screening strategy to identify SMM in high risk populations.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01CA168762-06
Application #
9817488
Study Section
Cancer Biomarkers Study Section (CBSS)
Program Officer
Sorbara, Lynn R
Project Start
2012-07-17
Project End
2024-06-30
Budget Start
2019-07-02
Budget End
2020-06-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Mayo Clinic, Rochester
Department
Type
DUNS #
006471700
City
Rochester
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55905
Kumar, Shaji K (2018) Timing of treatment of smoldering myeloma: delay until progression. Blood Adv 2:3050-3053
Clay-Gilmour, Alyssa I; Kumar, Shaji; Rajkumar, S Vincent et al. (2018) Risk of MGUS in relatives of multiple myeloma cases by clinical and tumor characteristics. Leukemia :
Go, Ronald S; Rajkumar, S Vincent (2018) How I manage monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Blood 131:163-173
Kyle, Robert A; Larson, Dirk R; McPhail, Ellen D et al. (2018) Fifty-Year Incidence of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia in Olmsted County, Minnesota, From 1961 Through 2010: A Population-Based Study With Complete Case Capture and Hematopathologic Review. Mayo Clin Proc 93:739-746
Calcinotto, Arianna; Brevi, Arianna; Chesi, Marta et al. (2018) Microbiota-driven interleukin-17-producing cells and eosinophils synergize to accelerate multiple myeloma progression. Nat Commun 9:4832
Miller, Kevin C; Gertz, Morie A; Buadi, Francis K et al. (2018) Comparable outcomes using propylene glycol-free melphalan for autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma. Bone Marrow Transplant :
Sidana, Surbhi; Tandon, Nidhi; Dispenzieri, Angela et al. (2018) Prognostic significance of circulating plasma cells by multi-parametric flow cytometry in light chain amyloidosis. Leukemia 32:1421-1426
(2018) Multiple myeloma: 2018 update on diagnosis, risk?stratification, and management Am J Hematol 93:981-1114
Ravi, Praful; Kumar, Shaji K; Cerhan, James R et al. (2018) Defining cure in multiple myeloma: a comparative study of outcomes of young individuals with myeloma and curable hematologic malignancies. Blood Cancer J 8:26
Kyle, Robert A; Larson, Dirk R; Therneau, Terry M et al. (2018) Long-Term Follow-up of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance. N Engl J Med 378:241-249

Showing the most recent 10 out of 56 publications