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ASH 2016 | The myeloma genome project and the aim to disseminate this worldwide

Gareth Morgan, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, PhD, of the UAMS Myeloma Institute, Little Rock, AR, discusses the myeloma genome project. This is a huge project trying to assemble all of the sequencing data that has been done globally to date. Samples are grouped, followed by laying mutational data and structural chromosome number data on top. The samples can be placed into technologies called ‘random forests’, which will identify a set of markers used to divide patients into groups. This method has already been shown to clearly identify a group of patients which has a very poor outcome. Dr. Morgan mentions a new classification for myeloma as well as a method for identifying these patients. Moving forward with this, experts need to work with diagnostic companies to make diagnostic tests in order to disseminate this approach to all myeloma centers in the world. Although this technology has already been implemented in some clinics, the aim is to disseminate it internationally to all myeloma clinics. Recorded at the 2016 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, held in San Diego, CA.