New GenoPredicta Test Brings More Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Multiple Myeloma

Can a new molecular test improve how multiple myeloma is diagnosed and treated?

Over the last 50 years, the FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) test has been used to detect genetic markers for a patient’s multiple myeloma, helping physicians guide care. However, the FISH test can be incorrectly run (in up to ⅓ of labs) and isn’t capturing the whole genetic story. A new test is now available to help identify the specifics of the myeloma you live with so doctors can more accurately diagnose and manage the cancer.  

A new type of multiple myeloma test becomes available

Predicta Biosciences has launched its first molecular diagnostic test for multiple myeloma. The test, called GenoPredicta, is now available as a Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) and can be performed using bone marrow or blood samples. It uses whole genome sequencing (WGS)—a method that reads all of a person’s genetic information—to look for changes in DNA linked to multiple myeloma.

This test is performed in a CLIA-approved lab, which means it meets high-quality standards. Doctors can now use GenoPredicta to molecularly diagnose individuals who have or are at risk for multiple myeloma and to guide which therapies may work best for them.

This matters because many people with blood cancers like multiple myeloma are often diagnosed using invasive bone marrow biopsies and older genetic tests that may miss important information. GenoPredicta aims to change that.

What GenoPredicta can detect 

• High-risk genetic markers in people with multiple myeloma that are tied to more aggressive forms of the cancer
• Mutations in BCMA and GPRC5D, which help identify who might not respond well to certain therapies like CAR-T or bispecific antibodies
• A better testing method from both bone marrow and blood, offering a less invasive option for testing
• Additional mutation detection compared to FISH, with a more sensitive testing method

Blood-based testing is now more accessible

One of the biggest challenges for people living with multiple myeloma is that diagnosis and monitoring often rely on bone marrow biopsies, which are painful and not always practical. FISH tests are commonly used to detect certain genetic features of myeloma, but they don’t always provide clear or complete results.

GenoPredicta offers a new option. The same test can be run on both bone marrow and blood samples if 50 or more cells can be detected in the sample. This means that testing could become easier and less stressful for many individuals. This is especially important for people who cannot tolerate frequent or invasive procedures.

How this test could impact treatment plans

With more accurate information from a single test, doctors can better:

• Classify the type of multiple myeloma
• Understand how the cancer is likely to behave over time
• Choose targeted or immune-based treatments that are more likely to work
• Avoid therapies that won’t be effective based on a person’s specific genetic changes

This is particularly useful when considering advanced therapies like CAR-T cell therapy or bispecific antibodies, which don’t work for everyone. Knowing in advance who is likely to benefit can help avoid unnecessary side effects or delays in effective care.

What’s coming next from Predicta

GenoPredicta has already been used in research settings, including at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to help predict how people with multiple myeloma might respond to different treatments. In the future, Predicta plans to launch two additional tests called GenoPredicta for Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) monitoring and ImmunoPredicta, a platform that focuses on analyzing a patient’s immune system. Both tools are part of Predicta’s goal to offer more precise diagnostics for multiple myeloma and eventually, other blood cancers and autoimmune conditions.

Summary

The GenoPredicta test offers a new way to diagnose and monitor multiple myeloma using detailed genetic information from blood or bone marrow. It provides valuable insights that help doctors make better treatment decisions and reduce the need for invasive procedures. This new test may improve care for individuals with multiple myeloma by allowing for more precise and personalized therapy choices.

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Source: 

• Predicta Biosciences Launches its First Molecular Diagnostic Product to Improve the Prognosis of Multiple Myeloma