Multiple Myeloma (MM) Research Group

Research field:  

Clinical research on Multiple Myeloma (MM)

• First-line therapy with innovative drugs for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT): design and coordination of independent Phase II and Phase III clinical trials, based on the integration of new drugs with autologous transplantation.
• Innovative therapeutic strategies and adoptive cellular immunotherapy (CAR-T cells: Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells)).
• Novel imaging methods: diagnostics, prognosis prediction, and evaluation of metabolic response to therapy.
• Integrated approach to the hematological patient.

 The treatment of MM has changed dramatically in recent years, thanks to the development of new drugs and therapeutic approaches. Intense activity in translational, clinical, and pharmacological research has enriched MM therapy with new non-chemotherapeutic drugs which act directly against tumor cells in the bone marrow microenvironment. Some of these new drugs have now entered daily clinical practice, while others are in earlier stages of development and are being used in clinical trials by specially trained personnel in order to test their toxicity and efficacy.

 Clinical research is well established at the Institute of Hematology "Seràgnoli", a national and international hub for the management and treatment of MM patients. The Institute is also a reference center for the numerous clinical trials aimed at improving the clinical experience of patients with MM (over 30 active drug trials, Phases I–III), thereby granting outstanding treatment options with the most advanced drugs, while maintaining a consistently high standard of patient care.

 In particular, the MM group is at the center of several international clinical trials sponsored by pharmaceutical companies for the use of new drugs (interventional and observational clinical trials in Phases I–III), retrospective studies on the use in daily clinical practice of therapies approved by AIFA, and studies aimed at defining the role of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support (prospective Phase III studies).

 In addition, "Seràgnoli" Hematology - the Center in Emilia-Romagna for advanced CAR-T (therapies - has been an Italian pioneer in cutting-edge experimental clinical protocols for immunotherapy treatment with CAR-T cells in patients affected by MM.

 Further investigations concern the study of genetic-molecular prognostic factors and markers of minimal residual disease (MRD), evaluated with modern molecular biology and functional imaging methods.

 The research group organizes scientific events at the national and international levels, takes part in the direction of national organizations, and is actively involved in the definition of national and international guidelines and recommendations regarding MM.

Translational Research on MM:

• Molecular characterization of patients with MM at diagnosis and at relapse, study of the dynamics of clonal evolution during treatment and its correlation with resistance to therapy.
• Monitoring the dynamics of minimal residual disease during therapy with high resolution technologies: IgH-NGS on bone marrow aspirate, ULP-WGS on liquid biopsy (ctDNA), FC of CMMCs (circulating MM cells).
• Identification of prognostic factors associated with the clinical course of MM or predictive factors for the response to particular therapeutic regimens.
• Hub center in Italy for the evaluation of MRD and creation of an Italian network for the harmonization of methods for the molecular evaluation by NGS of Minimal Residual Disease in the daily clinical practice of MM.
• Validation of a targeted panel for the diagnostic framing of patients with MM, through the evaluation of translocations, numerical alterations, and point mutations (AIO panel, All-In-One).
• Study of clonal hematopoiesis using single-cell technology.

Collaborators

The clinical-care and clinical research group is composed of:

Elena Zamagni, Associate Professor, Medical director, Head of the Multiple Myeloma Program

Paola Tacchetti, Medical Director

Lucia Pantani, Medical Director

Katia Mancuso, Research fellow

Serena Rocchi, PhD student

Ilaria Rizzello, PhD student

Alessio Fusco, Resident physician in Hematology

Gabriella De Cicco, Resident physician in Hematology

Margherita Ursi, Resident physician in Hematology

Emanuele Favero, Resident physician in Hematology

The “Molecular Biology laboratory” group is composed of:

Carolina Terragna, Senior biologist

Marina Martello, RTD

Enrica Borsi, RTD

Vincenza Solli, PhD student

Andrea Poletti, Research fellow

The "design and management of clinical studies" group is composed of:

Simona Barbato, Research fellow

Federica Pedali, Research fellow

Giorgia Lazzarini, Research fellow

Alessandra Scatà, Research fellow

Francesca Michela Trombetta, Research fellow

Giada Giulia Riso, Research fellow

Claudio Mostaccio, Research fellow

The Laboratory Group of Molecular Biology is involved in numerous collaborations, national and international, and actively participates in research projects funded by: AIRC - Call IG 2014 and Call IG 2018 (PI Prof. Michele Cavo), Ministry of Health - Ricerca Finalizzata 2016 (PI Prof. Michele Cavo), EMN Research Italy funding (PI Dr. Carolina Terragna).