Researchers have developed the first comprehensive molecular map of human bone marrow, offering new perspectives on how an incurable blood cancer develops and spreads.
The team at WEHI utilized cutting-edge spatial technology to create a detailed "Google-like" map by imaging more than 5,000 genes within individual cells in the bone marrow.
This study, published in Blood, questions long-held theories about myeloma development and progression, opening doors for more effective treatments.
BloodMyeloma is a type of blood cancer affecting plasma cells in the bone marrow. Known as multiple myeloma because 90% of patients have multiple bone lesions upon diagnosis, it remains incurable despite treatments that slow its progression and manage symptoms. Over 2,500 Australians are diagnosed each year.
The new findings suggest that each cancer cell creates its own unique microenvironment within the bone marrow rather than shaping it uniformly.
Co-first author Dr. Raymond Yip commented on how this detailed molecular map offers fresh insights into myeloma behavior: "Each group of cancerous plasma cells forms a distinct space, with different supporting cells and gene activities—it's like discovering each tumor has its own unique 'postcode,'"
"Our results could redefine our understanding and treatment of the disease, paving the way for more effective therapeutic strategies for myeloma and potentially other blood cancers," Dr. Yip added.
The study examined bone marrow samples from healthy individuals, patients with early signs of disease, and newly diagnosed multiple myeloma cases.
It was found that malignant plasma cells do not evenly spread but cluster in spatially restricted areas, each with unique biological signatures.
Clinician Ph.D. researcher Jeremy Er, co-first author, suggested this research could explain varied responses to treatments among myeloma patients and hint at the need for personalized treatment approaches: "This work may be the first step toward developing more tailored strategies and new methods to detect, monitor, and treat myeloma."
The team utilized the latest spatial technologies that allow researchers to observe each cell's activity and specific location within tissue.
These advanced tools are transforming cancer research by revealing how cells behave in their natural environment.
Using spatial transcriptomics combined with an optimized biobanking method, WEHI scientists profiled 5,001 genes at single-cell resolution, mapping the entire cellular landscape in unprecedented detail.