Enumerating plasma cells in circulation in myeloma patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Enumerating plasma cells in circulation in myeloma patients using flow cytometry as a surrogate marker for tumour burden and progression
IRAS ID
225882
Contact name
Paul Virgo
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of the West of England
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 20 days
Research summary
Upon diagnosis of myeloma, genetic and molecular analysis will be done on a bone marrow aspirate, however; more recently, circulating plasma cells have been identified as a prognostic factor for disease progression. Several studies have demonstrated that using flow cytometry is an independent prognostic factor in patients with Myeloma. This test would be minimally invasive and could be performed on routine bloods taken for other purposes.\n\tObjectives\n•\tThis project will be used to analyse the relationship between circulating plasma cells and plasma cells within the bone marrow at myeloma diagnosis, this would include the number of cells in each sample as well as a detailed neoplastic phenotype. \n\n•\tComparing circulating plasma cells to the conventional methods of disease monitoring/tumour burden that are currently in use in the lab. We can use these to help define whether the level of circulating plasma cells can be deemed as prognostic. \n\nConsent\nThe enumeration of plasma cells in the peripheral blood of newly presenting Myeloma patients will be a new and additional test. All other tests referred to above are performed as part of standard of care in this patient group. It is proposed to perform this test on excess material from the residual Full Blood Count sample.\nIt is proposed to consent patients by use of a standard letter. This will provide information on:\nThe nature of the test.\nThe research status of the test: It is proposed not to release results to either the patient or their clinician. We will confirm that the test results will be not used as part of their treatment/monitoring but may be helpful to future patients with similar diseases.\nThe desire to use other clinical and pathological parameters from their diagnosis and monitoring evaluations to assess the utility of the test.\n
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SW/0129
Date of REC Opinion
18 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion