Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a hematologic cancer caused by the selective clonal expansion of plasma cells. By acting on the microenvironment of the bone marrow, MM shifts the niche balance and becomes chemoresistant due to its interaction with stromal cells. Despite new therapeutic strategies, MM still remains incurable and new strategies are urgently needed. In order to successfully act on MM, we must use a strategy that reflects its plasticity and blocks it on several targets: proliferation, interaction with the microenvironment, and metastasis.

The main interest of the project is to evaluate the effect of gene therapy identified in vitro, directly on patient-derived samples, in particular to translate the knowledge gained on myeloma cell lines in vitro to primary tumor cells taken from patients.

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a hematologic cancer caused by the selective clonal expansion of plasma cells. By acting on the microenvironment of the bone marrow, MM shifts the niche balance and becomes chemoresistant due to its interaction with stromal cells. Despite new therapeutic strategies, MM still remains incurable and new strategies are urgently needed. In order to successfully act on MM, we must use a strategy that reflects its plasticity and blocks it on several targets: proliferation, interaction with the microenvironment, and metastasis.

The main interest of the project is to evaluate the effect of gene therapy identified in vitro, directly on patient-derived samples, in particular to translate the knowledge gained on myeloma cell lines in vitro to primary tumor cells taken from patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age≥18 years;
• Diagnosis of multiple myeloma for which a bone marrow biopsy is scheduled for practice
• Patients able to express appropriate consent to participation in the study (e.g., able to understand Italian, patient with intact cognitive abilities).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Absence of signed informed consent form
• Inadequate or insufficient bone marrow biopsy material

Patients of both sexes with multiple myeloma referred to the SOSD Oncoematologia, Trapianti emopoietici e Terapie cellulari of the CRO in Aviano.