The Indiana Myeloma Registry

R
Rafat Abonour, MD

Primary Investigator

The Indiana Myeloma Registry

Overview

WHAT IS CANCER? WHAT IS MULTIPLE MYELOMA? WHAT IS THE STUDY ABOUT?


What is cancer?

Each cell in your body holds a copy of your DNA. This DNA tells your cells how to do their jobs, like when to copy themselves and when to delete. Your cells copy and delete all the time. This is normal and healthy.
Sometimes during the copying process, a mutation (like a typo) happens in the DNA that your body can't correct. Your cells may begin losing their ability to do their normal jobs, copying too often, and taking up too much space. This is cancer.

Multiple Myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells

Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that help fight infections by making antibodies. They are created in the bone marrow.
As the mutated plasma cells grow out of control, they take over the bone marrow, leaving less space for red blood cells. This leads to a condition called anemia, which is when the blood doesn't have enough red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen through the body. Without enough red blood cells, the body can't get enough oxygen.
The mutated plasma cells also may take over the bone,causing pain and bone fractures. As the bone breaks down, calcium leaks into the blood. High calcium in the blood is called hypercalcemia.
Mutated plasma cells make an abnormal antibody called M-protein (monoclonal protein), which can cause blockages in the kidneys. This can lead to kidney dysfunction and failure.
Multiple Myeloma happens over time, usually several years. At the early stages, it is called MGUS.
As more and more plasma cells get mutations, it develops into a stage called Smoldering Myeloma.
Active Multiple Myeloma is diagnosed when one or more of the main symptoms (called CRAB symptoms) start to develop. These symptoms are hypercalcemia, renal (kidney) dysfunction, anemia, and bone disease.

There's still a lot we don't know about Multiple Myeloma. That's why research is so important.

The Indiana Myeloma Registry is a study to better understand:
  • Who is most likely to get Multiple Myeloma?
  • What treatments work for which people?
  • What causes Multiple Myeloma?
We hope to improve treatment and, one day, find a cure.
If you have Multiple Myeloma, MGUS, Smoldering Myeloma, or other plasma cell disorder, please consider joining the study.

Study Parts

SALIVA SAMPLE
HEALTH HISTORY
QUESTION­NAIRE
QUALITY OF LIFE
QUESTION­NAIRE
APPROVAL TO LINK TO YOUR MEDICAL RECORD
We'll mail you a kit!
One time: online or by phone
Every 3-12 months: online or by phone
So we can follow how your treatments go without you doing extra work!

Study Eligibility

You are eligible if these things are true about you:
  1. You are a male or female patient age 18 or older at the time of informed consent
  2. You have been diagnosed with or are suspected to have one of the following:
    • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS)
    • Smoldering Multiple Myeloma
    • Multiple Myeloma
    • Bony or Soft Tissue Plasmacytoma
    • Primary Amyloidosis
    • Plasma Cell Leukemia
    • Other Plasma Cell Dyscrasias (including but not limited to light chain deposition disease, monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance, POEMS syndrome)
If you have questions about the study, email myeloma@iu.edu or call 317.278.0808.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions:
    POEMS Syndrome,Plasma Cell Leukemia,Plasma Cell Dyscrasias,Amyloidosis,Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undeterminded Significance,MGUS,Plasmacytoma,Multiple Myeloma,myeloma,mileloma,cancer,1804208190 (IUSCC-0661)
  • Age: Between 18 Years - 100 Years
  • Gender: All

Inclusion Criteria
Has been diagnosed with or is suspected to have one of the following:
Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS)
Smoldering Multiple Myeloma
Multiple Myeloma
Bony or Soft Tissue Plasmacytoma
Primary Amyloidosis
Plasma Cell Leukemia
Other Plasma Cell Dyscrasias (including but not limited to light chain deposition disease, monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance, POEMS syndrome)
 
 
Exclusion Criteria
Under age 18
Not diagnosed with one of the following:
Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS)
Smoldering Multiple Myeloma
Multiple Myeloma
Bony or Soft Tissue Plasmacytoma
Primary Amyloidosis
Additional Information:
Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Do I have to come to IU/Indianapolis to do the study?
No, we can mail a saliva sample kit directly to you and all other study activities can be done online or by telephone.

2. How is the data secured?
Efforts will be made to keep your personal information confidential. We cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality. Your personal information may be disclosed if required by law. No information and databases in which results may be stored which could identify you will be shared in publications about this study.
 
Organizations that may inspect and/or copy your research records for quality assurance and data analysis include groups such as researchers from Indiana University, other universities, government agencies (like the Indiana State Department of Health), or private companies that work on developing new tests or treatments. Any published results from research on your sample will not identify you. There are other organizations that may access Indiana Myeloma Registry records and your information: the IU Institutional Review Board (or its designees) and state or federal agencies with oversight responsibilities for this research. Some data may also be provided to a government health research database for broad sharing with researchers around the world, but the data will not contain any information which could identify you.


3. Is DNA shared with anyone else?
Information or specimens collected from you for this research may be shared with other researchers in the future. If shared, your information will only be used for the continued study of multiple myeloma and related diseases (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, smoldering multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and plasmacytoma). If this happens, we will not share your personal identifiers. We do not plan to ask your consent before we share this information. Use of your information by other researchers will require review and approval from the Indiana Myeloma Registry Steering Committee and if appropriate, approval by the Institutional Review Board. The Institutional Review Board reviews research proposals to make sure your rights and welfare are protected.

4. Will the study change my treatment?
No, not directly. You will still work with your own doctors for your treatment plan. The study may help us find better treatments for Multiple Myeloma patients that you could benefit from in the future. The study may also help you find clinical trials that you might be eligible for.

5. Does the study cost anything?
No, it's completely free for you.

6. Will I get results of my DNA analysis?
No, not currently. We are hoping to do this in the future.

7. Will my employer or my insurance company see my study information?
No. And there is a law called GINA that makes it illegal for employers or insurance companies to discriminate against you based on your DNA.

Updated on 09 Mar 2024. Study ID: 1804208190 (IUSCC-0661)

Connect with a study center near you

What happens next?
  • You can expect the study team to contact you via email or phone in the next few days.
  • Sign up as volunteer  to help accelerate the development of new treatments and to get notified about similar trials.

You are contacting

Investigator Avatar

Primary Contact

site

Interested in the study?

Select a study center that’s convenient for you, and get in touch with the study team.

Contact a study center