New Blood-Based Circulating Multiple Myeloma Cells Test Launched for Research Purposes

Posted: Apr 09, 2021

A new blood-based test to detect Circulating Multiple Myeloma Cells (CMMCs) has been launched for research use by Menarini Silicon Biosystems, an Italian and Pennyslvania based company.

The test is not FDA approved, but will be used by pharmaceutical companies, research organizations, clinicians and research scientists studying multiple myeloma.

Oncopeptides AB Translational Research Director, Ana Slipicevic said:

"The CMMC test, with a non-invasive sampling procedure, for which peripheral blood drawn can be stored for up to 96 hours at room temperature, has shown to be a reliable and reproducible assay to monitor disease status. It has allowed us to save time in gaining rapid access to high quality study data".

The new test captures the Circulating Multiple Myeloma Cells from peripheral blood and not via a bone marrow biopsy. The new test makes real-time disease monitoring and myeloma genetic evolution easier using a non-invasive method. These CMMCs are higher in the peripheral blood of multiple myeloma patients and in precursor condition patients including MGUS (monocloncal gammopathy of undetermined significance) and smoldering myeloma. Using this standardized

The new test will be available as a lab service in Europe and the United States and will help provide data consistency when running international multi-center myeloma clinical trials.

According to the company, there is a high degree of correlation between CELLSEARCH CMMC counts and disease burden in myeloma patients, which may mean that CMMC counts could be used as a metric for minimal residual disease or relapse in clinical trials. According to Fabio Piazzalunga, President and CEO of Menarini Silicon Biosystems:

"We are excited to present to industry researchers, academia and organizations, our new CMMC Assay that is showing great promise to monitor MM disease and precursor states through a non-invasive liquid biopsy. The possibility, to further isolate these cells with the DEPArray platform and perform molecular analyses, allows to detect the specific molecular changes that occur throughout the disease progression, which will likely have therapeutic implications for this dynamic hematological disorder."

Myeloma patients understand the frequency that bone marrow biopsies are needed (and hate it) and look forward to an easier way to monitor their myeloma.

about the author
Jennifer Ahlstrom

Myeloma survivor, patient advocate, wife, mom of 6. Believer that patients can help accelerate a cure by weighing in and participating in clinical research. Founder of HealthTree Foundation (formerly Myeloma Crowd).