Multiple myeloma is a plasma tumor in which pathological monoclonal B lymphocytes - plasma cells.

The disease is localized mainly in the bone marrow, from which malignant cells seep into the blood.

For the diagnosis of multiple myeloma, bone marrow biopsy is used - a painful and traumatic procedure necessary for the isolation of plasma cells. Currently, there is no other way to "catch" plasma cells from the bloodstream, so bone marrow biopsy remains an indispensable diagnostic tool.

Circulating blood plasma cells normally do not occur, so a new analysis technology will allow doctors not only to diagnose multiple myeloma, but also to track the progression of the disease. A new compact microfluidic device developed by the staff of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA).

"Traditional bone marrow biopsy is a painful procedure that is associated with serious complications, infections. Biopsy is performed only in central hospitals, which forces patients to travel long distances and incur additional financial costs. This is in all respects a complicated procedure, "says Mohammad Qasaimeh, MIT researcher, co-author of the original method.

The catching of malignant cells circulating in the blood can be compared with liquid biopsy.

The procedure is no worse than the usual blood sampling, it can be performed in a regular clinic and serve as a universal diagnostic and prognostic tool for doctors. Moreover, genetic analysis of filtered cells is a step towards personalized medicine.

More information about the new method can be found in the Scientific Reports journal.

During the experiments, scientists confirmed the possibility of accurate diagnosis and monitoring with liquid biopsy. Even at a normal level of antibodies detected by conventional methods, the number of plasma cells in the remission phase gave doctors maximum information.

"When multiple myeloma passes into the stage of remission, the level of antibodies can be normal. However, the number of circulating cells exceeds the norm, and this gives a hint to the doctor. In the future, we plan to conduct genetic analyzes of the filtered cells, identifying specific mutations and selecting the optimal therapy, "say the authors..

medbe. en.

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