Drive
Personalized Treatment Approaches
We need lots of data to better understand how to provide each patient with the right treatment plan.
Drive Optimal and More Personalized Treatment
Multiple myeloma is a heterogeneous disease, meaning it is defined by many subtypes and can look differently in each individual patient. Therefore, we need to better understand what treatments are best for each patient based on their individual characteristics.
The MMRF® heavily invests in the generation and analysis of robust molecular and clinical data, as well as other translational research programs to ensure all patients can get the maximum benefit from the treatment options that are available to them today and in the future.
Horizon Clinical Trials Program
In late 2024, the MMRF launched the innovative Horizon Clinical Trials Program through our Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium® (MMRC®). We are enrolling patients into the relapsed/refractory trial (Horizon-1), with the high-risk/newly diagnosed trial set to begin in 2025.
Optimizing Treatment Options
The MMRF initiated the MMRC Horizon Clinical Trials Program to optimize treatments by maximizing response rates and quality of life, while minimizing side effects in patient populations with high unmet need for safe and effective treatments, beginning in patients with relapsed and refractory myeloma. Horizon, through its design and multi-institutional cooperation, is set up to rapidly answer important research questions for patients whose disease is not always responsive – or durably responsive to currently available treatments.
The adaptive trial design will test multiple therapies and offers key advantages over traditional trials, such as the flexibility to adjust the study plan as needed to develop more precise treatments.
The first arm of Horizon is enrolling patients and will evaluate the most effective dose and schedule of TECVAYLI (teclistamab), manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, to maximize response and minimize side effects.
Expanding Clinical Trial Eligibility
The MMRF is committed to making the HORIZON trials as accessible and inclusive as possible to be representative of the real-world U.S. patient population. Our initiatives include:
- Diversity Plan: We prioritize inclusivity by implementing a robust diversity strategy and engaging an external diversity officer.
- Financial Assistance: We offer support for travel, lodging, and other related expenses to ease the burden on participants.
- Broadened Eligibility Criteria: We aim to include patients who are often excluded from traditional trials, making it easier for more individuals to participate.
This groundbreaking initiative strives to transform the landscape of multiple myeloma treatment and lead to better quality of life for patients.
CoMMpassSM Study
The MMRF CoMMpassSM Study is a landmark longitudinal genomic-clinical study of more than 1,100 patients and was designed to provide researchers with as much information as possible about myeloma.
CoMMpass is one of the largest myeloma datasets in the public domain. It focuses on mapping the genomic landscape of myeloma to understand patient subtypes, risk stratification, and identify new targets.
The decade-long study has yielded incredible insights that have transformed our understanding of myeloma, which is now changing how myeloma is researched and treated.
CoMMpass also represents a real-world snapshot of patients living with myeloma. Notably, 17% of the patients enrolled in the study are Black, which is consistent with the overall profile of myeloma’s patient population.
Groundbreaking CoMMpassSM Findings
Further characteristics of multiple myeloma
CoMMpass RNA sequencing data has identified 12 subtypes of myeloma. These subtypes can be related back to DNA alterations, some of which are actionable, meaning there is a therapy available that can target and treat that alteration. These findings led directly to the MMRC MyDRUG study (Myeloma—Developing Regimens Using Genomics), the clinical trial that puts these CoMMpass learnings into action.
Actionable alterations for personalized treatment in the MyDRUG trial
CoMMpass genomic data showed that myeloma patients can have specific DNA changes, or mutations, that are associated with cancer. Drugs that target these mutations are already approved for other cancer types and are effective. Through the MyDRUG trial, these drugs are available for the first time to myeloma patients.
New genetic markers that identify patients at highest risk of progression
CoMMpass genomic data is helping doctors identify which patients have high-risk myeloma and may need to be treated differently than standard-risk patients.
- The common FISH test can identify high-risk patients but can be inaccurate. The new NGS DNA sequencing genomic test is much more accurate, leading to better treatments for high-risk patients. Patients should ask their doctor if the NGS test is available.
- Through CoMMpass we have learned that 10% of myeloma patients have an IgL translocation; we have also found that these patients do not respond well to Revlimid® (lenalidomide) or Pomalyst® (pomalidomide). Patients with t(IgL) (detected by a clinical test now under development) will soon be treated with more appropriate therapies and may have improved outcomes.
- CoMMpass continues to identify new high-risk patient groups, such as those who have lost their TP53 gene, and those who are t(4;14) who also have a mutated FGFR3 gene. Researchers are now working on developing new therapies to help patients in these groups.
- CoMMpass data has identified a marker for patients at high risk of progression. 25% of all patients transition to this “PR” group when they relapse, and they tend to have a shorter time of remission and worse outcomes. Identifying patients in the PR group and providing new targeted therapy options may lead to better outcomes.
Describes myeloma subtypes and risk in African Americans
African Americans have twice the risk of developing MM compared to other ethnicities and are twice as likely to die from the disease. CoMMpass data has shown that:
- African Americans tend to have a lower-risk form of myeloma compared to other ethnicities.
- African Americans enrolled in the CoMMpass Study (they make up 17% of the CoMMpass patient population) have overall survival rates just as good as or better than other ethnicities.
This information gleaned from CoMMpass points to the conclusion that if African American patients receive treatment equal to other patients, their outcomes are as good as or better than other ethnicities. This has implications regarding treatment disparities and cultural differences that can be addressed in the community to improve the outcomes of African Americans with multiple myeloma.
Immune Atlas
A person’s immune system is a critical defense against the development of cancer. The immune system can detect and destroy abnormal cells, including cancer cells. As people age, the immune system weakens, which can lead to the development of cancer, including multiple myeloma.
To fully understand myeloma disease biology, we need deep knowledge of not only the genetics of myeloma, but also myeloma patient immunity. Specifically, we need to understand how a myeloma patient’s immune system can change during the development of their disease and how it is affected by therapy.
To drive this understanding the MMRF is developing an immune-focused database (the MMRF “Immune Atlas”) describing the myeloma patient immune system from disease development, through diagnosis and their treatment journey.
This information, from hundreds of patients, will be combined with the existing genomic and clinical data from our CoMMpassSM study to develop a more comprehensive picture of myeloma disease biology. These resulting insights will be helpful in guiding optimal therapy for myeloma patients.
Read the Latest Immune Atlas Publications
Yao, L., Jayasinghe, R.G., Lee, B.H. et al. (October 25, 2022)
Pilcher, W., Thomas, B.E., Bhasin, S.S. et al. (January 26, 2023)
MMRF Virtual Lab™
All the data we generate through a variety of research programs including the CoMMpassSM Study and Immune Atlas will ultimately be stored and shared with other researchers through the MMRF Virtual LabTM. We know that driving scientific advances for patients happens more quickly when we work together—that’s why we’ve invested in a data architecture, analytics, and sharing platform to enable better collaboration with our data in MMRF Virtual LabTM.
Grants & Funding Opportunities
The MMRF is dedicated to advancing multiple myeloma research by funding, mentoring, and supporting researchers at all career stages. Our grants and research awards drive innovation and accelerate discovery. To date, we've supported nearly 400 projects at over 200 institutions worldwide.
Myeloma Accelerator Challenge
In 2023, the MMRF awarded up to $7 million to three multicenter translational projects for a period of three years. The grants focused on two critical areas of unmet need in myeloma research: optimizing first-line therapy for high-risk newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and improving identification of high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma.
