Multiple Myeloma is a genetically complex disease and there is a range of available genetic tests and the techniques used after tissue sample has been collected where several types of laboratory tests can be performed.
Traditionally for cytogenetic testing (samples of tissue, blood, or bone marrow in a laboratory to look for changes in chromosomes), conventional techniques are utilized such as karyotyping to detect chromosomal abnormalities or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to detect smaller, molecular changes.
Introducing the MMprofilerTM with SKY92, a novel gene-based risk identification test that measures the expression of all the genes in myeloma cells purified from the bone marrow prior to starting treatment.
Dr Tiffany Khong, senior research fellow from the Myeloma Research Group lab says that this test provides a very accurate way to defining chromosome abnormalities than any of the conventional cytogenetics testing such as FISH and it only takes up to 48 hours to receive test results - greatly assisting both clinicians and patients to make more informed personalised treatment decisions.
AMaRC correlative studies have greatly benefited from this method of cytogenetics testing .
The lab has obtained the appropriate accreditation for the use of the assay via SkylineDx lab in Rotterdam.
The MMProfiler with SKY92 is available as a CE-IVD kit in Europe and as a CLIA validated Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) in the United States.
The images below shows that equipments being used alongside with the MMprofiler:
And here's a sample of how a test result may appear:
Professor Andrew Spencer, Chair of AMaRC Steering Committee, says that the MMprofiler represents a highly robust and reproducible way of applying appropriately validated generic risk analysis into the myeloma diagnostic process and now for the first time will enable us to personalise patient treatment by having real-time genetic characterisation of a patients disease when it is first diagnosed