Liquid biopsies for multiple myeloma in a time of precision medicine

Bruna Ferreira, Joana Caetano, Filipa Barahona, Raquel Lopes, Emilie Carneiro, Bruno Costa-Silva, Cristina João

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a challenging, progressive, and highly heterogeneous hematological malignancy. MM is characterized by multifocal proliferation of neoplastic plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM) and sometimes in extramedullary organs. Despite the availability of novel drugs and the longer median overall survival, some patients survive more than 10 years while others die rapidly. This heterogeneity is mainly driven by biological characteristics of MM cells, including genetic abnormalities. Disease progressions are mainly due to the inability of drugs to overcome refractory disease and inevitable drug-resistant relapse. In clinical practice, a bone marrow biopsy, mostly performed in one site, is still used to access the genetics of MM. However, BM biopsy use is limited by its invasive nature and by often not accurately reflecting the mutational profile of MM. Recent insights into the genetic landscape of MM provide a valuable opportunity to implement precision medicine approaches aiming to enable better patient profiling and selection of targeted therapies. In this review, we explore the use of the emerging field of liquid biopsies in myeloma patients considering current unmet medical needs, such as assessing the dynamic mutational landscape of myeloma, early predictors of treatment response, and a less invasive response monitoring.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)513-525
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of molecular medicine (Berlin, Germany)
Volume98
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2020

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Liquid biopsies for multiple myeloma in a time of precision medicine'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this