A Gene Expression-Based Risk Stratification Model for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

We recently defined a gene expression-based signature of high-risk multiple myeloma; this predictive signature was developed with and independently validated for newly diagnosed patients treated with high dose therapy and stem cell rescue. Here we use Phase 3 clinical trial data to show that this signature also predicts short survival in relapsed disease treated with single agent bortezomib or high dose dexamethasone. In addition, a survival signature derived with relapsed myeloma samples identified newly diagnosed patients with short survival. Taken together these data suggest that a similar biology underlies poor outcome in both newly diagnosed and relapsed myeloma and provide strong evidence that the high-risk signature is a powerful tool to identify patients who are candidates for new therapeutic regimens.

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