Support for new test to monitor people at risk of multiple myeloma

Support for new test to monitor people at risk of multiple myeloma

April 14, 2025: Birmingham researchers have received £230k of translational funding from Cancer Research Horizons to develop a prototype for a new test to monitor people at risk of developing the blood cancer multiple myeloma.

About 6,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with multiple myeloma each year.  The new time-saving test is intended for people with MGUS (Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance), a precursor condition of myeloma.

People with MGUS have a 1% chance of progressing to myeloma each year. For this reason, people with MGUS have regular blood tests to check for any changes in their condition.

Monitoring is generally every 3 months when MGUS is first diagnosed but can decrease to every 6 months, or yearly, if the disease remains stable and no new symptoms appear. Monitoring currently requires patients to visit general practice or hospital clinics for a blood sample, which is then sent to a clinical laboratory for testing, and this process places burden on the NHS and patients.

The test in development by Dr Jennifer Heaney and Dr Sian Faustini at Clinical Immunology Services at the University of Birmingham will monitor the level of monoclonal proteins, which are produced by cells in the bone marrow that have become abnormal.

It could be used to detect increases in monoclonal protein and identify those patients who need referral to hospital for further tests to see if myeloma has developed, enabling early treatment.

The aim is to make MGUS monitoring more efficient and convenient for patients and the NHS. The prototype is planned to undergo an initial clinical pilot in collaboration with Dr Tracey Chan at University Hospitals Birmingham later this year.

About Cancer Research UK

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About Cancer Research Horizons

Cancer Research Horizons is the innovation engine of Cancer Research UK – the world’s largest charitable funder of cancer research. It brings together world-leading minds, bold ideas and the right partners to bridge the gap between academic research and taking drugs to market. It focuses on the tougher, more profound ideas that can lead to true innovation, translating them into effective treatments and diagnostics for cancer patients.

To date, it has played an instrumental role in forming over 70 start-ups. It has helped bring 14 cancer drugs to market, borne out of Cancer Research UK’s pioneering research. Through these drugs, it has enabled in excess of 6 million courses of treatment for cancer patients across the world.

With access to Cancer Research UK’s network of 4,000 exceptional researchers, and £400m of annual research spend, it is a powerful partner in the fight to conquer cancer. By uniting its commercial partnerships and therapeutic innovation capabilities, Cancer Research Horizons is uniquely placed to support translational funding, entrepreneurial development, data licensing and collaboration, spin-out creation, and offer a full spectrum of drug discovery and clinical capabilities.

Every penny it makes goes back into funding the next bold steps, to help bring forward the day when all cancers are conquered.

For more information and to get in touch with the team, visit www.cancerresearchhorizons.com.