“Bona fide” attributes of T cells function in MGUS and dysfunction in multiple myeloma
Host immunity against myeloma relies on structural and functional integrity of effector and long-lasting, self-renewing myeloma specific memory T cells.
This integrity is preserved in a stable (“equilibrium”) stage known as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) but perturbed in symptomatic myeloma (“escape”) stage by the disease and therapeutic regimens.
Over many years of research, we identified that antimyeloma effector responses are efficiently primed; often correlate with longer survivals but their persistence and function can be affected through senescence or exhaustion.
Our research using scRNA-seq transcriptome, TCR diversity, and Mass Cytometry to define “bona fide” attributes of T cells function in MGUS and dysfunction in symptomatic myeloma.
It is expected that this research will yield a rich set of testable hypotheses and can identify immunotherapeutic targets to harness the antimyeloma effector responses and improve rates of myeloma remission.
