Blood test to monitor multiple myeloma and guide treatment
Liquid Biopsy in Myeloma to Inform Outcome and Treatment Decisions
A blood-based test that looks for myeloma cells and cell-free DNA to track disease over time and help doctors choose better treatments for people with multiple myeloma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309167 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to replace many bone marrow biopsies with a simple blood draw that looks for circulating myeloma cells and cell-free DNA. Researchers will collect blood samples over the course of treatment to watch how the myeloma changes and to capture disease from multiple marrow sites. The team will compare these liquid biopsy results to standard bone marrow biopsies and clinical outcomes to see if blood testing gives earlier or more complete information. The approach is intended to let doctors tailor therapy based on evolving disease signals found in the blood.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma who are receiving treatment, changing therapies, or being monitored for relapse and who can provide blood samples.
Not a fit: People without multiple myeloma or patients whose disease does not shed detectable cells or DNA into the blood may not get useful results from the blood test.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could avoid repeated painful bone marrow biopsies and get faster, more personalized treatment decisions.
How similar studies have performed: Liquid biopsy methods have shown promise in other cancers and in early myeloma research, but using them to replace routine bone marrow biopsy is still experimental.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lohr, Jens G — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Lohr, Jens G
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.