Signal Genetics Inc, Carlsbad, Calif, has entered into an agreement with Moffitt Cancer Center to validate the clinical utility of its MyPRS test in multiple myeloma and its precursor conditions, smoldering multiple myeloma and, collectively, asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathies (AMG), including monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).
In the works are three validation studies with multiple Moffitt investigators. Under the agreement, Signal Genetics will perform testing on patient specimens to inform key patient management decisions, including the risk of progression from the constellation of AMG disorders to symptomatic multiple myeloma.
“We believe this collaboration has the potential to further validate a first-in-class decisionmaking tool based on the genetics of smoldering myeloma and MGUS, precursor conditions that have been managed suboptimally via the use of outdated clinical metrics,” says Kenneth Shain, MD, scientific director of the Moffitt myeloma working group. “Validation of MyPRS in this setting may eventually have a significant impact on the management of over 3 million patients in the United States that present on the AMG spectrum each year.”
“We anticipate that these studies will yield data demonstrating the power of genetics to enable ‘precision medicine’ in the multiple myeloma field, consistent with Moffitt Cancer Center’s vision to be aligned with the precision medicine initiative outlined by the National Institutes of Health,” says Melissa Alsina, MD, multiple myeloma transplant program leader at Moffitt Cancer Center.
“We believe Moffitt’s unique resources and world-class clinicians combined with Signal’s MyPRS platform have the potential to truly advance the field in multiple myeloma and the precursor conditions that fall within the spectrum of AMG,” says Samuel D. Riccitelli, president and chief executive of Signal Genetics. “We expect the studies planned under this agreement will generate compelling data to support our market expansion plans, consistent with our long-term corporate strategy which we have outlined in recent months.”
For more information, visit Signal Genetics.
