Using blood tests to monitor and improve treatment for multiple myeloma
Official title: Liquid Biopsy in Myeloma to Inform Outcome and Treatment Decisions
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-11243248 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new, easier way to keep track of multiple myeloma by using blood tests instead of the more painful bone marrow biopsies, so patients can get important updates about their cancer without the stress of invasive procedures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | December 7, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $352,275 |
| NIH project number | 7R37CA276044-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11243248 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma who are undergoing treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of blood cancers or those who are not currently receiving treatment for multiple myeloma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a less invasive method to monitor multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, by using liquid biopsies instead of traditional bone marrow biopsies. Liquid biopsies involve analyzing circulating myeloma cells and cell-free DNA from a simple blood draw, which can provide more comprehensive insights into the disease's evolution and treatment response. This approach aims to reduce the burden of repeated invasive procedures on patients while ensuring that treatment decisions are based on the most current information about the cancer's status.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized treatment strategies for patients with multiple myeloma, improving their outcomes and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using liquid biopsies for cancer monitoring, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lohr, Jens G — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Lohr, Jens G
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Blood test to monitor multiple myeloma and guide treatment
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.
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Multi-analyte blood and fluid tests to find breast, pancreatic cancer, and multiple myeloma earlier
Researchers are creating combined blood and body-fluid tests to help find breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and multiple myeloma earlier for people having screening or diagnostic workups.
-
Blood-based DNA markers plus imaging to track multiple myeloma
This project uses a blood test that reads DNA epigenetic marks together with PET/CT scans to better track disease in adults with multiple myeloma.
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Developing a blood test for early detection of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and multiple myeloma
This study is working on a new blood test that can help find early signs of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and multiple myeloma, so patients can get diagnosed sooner and have better treatment options.
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Using blood tests and imaging to track treatment response in multiple myeloma
This study is looking at how blood tests and imaging scans can work together to help doctors better understand how well treatments are working for people with multiple myeloma, making it easier and less invasive than traditional methods.
-
Integrative study of multiple myeloma genetics and disease biology
A team at Dana-Farber and partners is pursuing a long-term project to understand the genetic and molecular drivers of multiple myeloma and how treatments interact with disease biology.
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.