Research seeking greater understanding of rare blood cancer and how to treat it

A new research study at UCLH and UCL will investigate how a rare type of blood cancer develops and what types of treatment may be effective for patients.

The COSMOS study funded by Cancer Research UK is looking at the condition smouldering myeloma – also known as asymptomatic myeloma.

At present there are no approved treatments for smouldering myeloma.

In the COSMOS trial (Characterising risk and biology Of Smouldering Myeloma for early detection Of Symptomatic myeloma) researchers will look at why some people get smouldering myeloma and how it progresses to active myeloma.

The study is led by UCLH and UCL consultant haematologist Professor Kwee Yong, who said: “Smouldering myeloma is a rare condition, so little is known about it. In this trial we want to understand how and why smouldering myeloma develops – including why it progresses to active myeloma in some patients but not in others.”

“With a greater understanding of the disease, we hope to be in a better position to develop effective treatments for patients.”

The trial is now open to recruitment at multiple sites in the UK. It is an observational study which means there is no treatment being trialled. Participants will be asked to donate blood and bone marrow samples to the research team, who will analyse these samples to see what they can uncover about the cancer and how it progresses.

More information about the trial

Visit the trial website.

The BBC radio presenter Sadie Nine wrote about her experience of being diagnosed with smouldering myeloma and taking part in the COSMOS trial on the BBC website.

The trial and Sadie’s involvement was also featured in The Sun.