Insight

Aug 19, 2025, 08:42

George Kumar: Breakthrough in Blood Cancer Research

George Kumar, Senior Director at AstraZeneca, shared on LinkedIn:

“Breakthrough in Blood Cancer Research

Profiling the spatial architecture of multiple myeloma in human bone marrow trephine biopsy specimens with spatial transcriptomics

Scientists at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) have created the first detailed molecular map of human bone marrow, using cutting-edge spatial transcriptomics.

This high-resolution “Google map” of the bone marrow revealed that each cluster of multiple myeloma cells builds its own unique microenvironment, overturning the belief that tumors shape the same surroundings.

Why it matters:

• Explains why patients respond differently to treatment.
• Opens the door to personalized therapies tailored to each tumor’s “postcode.”
• Paves the way for new diagnostics and monitoring strategies in blood cancers.

This marks a major step in spatial omics and precision oncology, offering hope to improve outcomes in an incurable cancer.

Figure Courtesy: Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Raymond K.H. Yip, Jeremy Er, Lei Qin, Quoc Hoang Nguyen, Allan Motyer, Joel S Rimes, Amanda Light, Ruvimbo D Mishi, Ling Ling, Casey J.A. Anttila, Ellen Tsui, Daniela Amann-Zalcenstein, Mark R Dowling, Kelly L. Rogers, Rory Bowden, Yunshun Chen, Simon J Harrison, Edwin D Hawkins

First comprehensive molecular map of human bone marrow.”

Title: Profiling the spatial architecture of multiple myeloma in human bone marrow trephine biopsy specimens with spatial transcriptomics

Authors: Raymond K.H. Yip, Jeremy Er, Lei Qin, Quoc Hoang Nguyen, Allan Motyer, Joel S Rimes, Amanda Light, Ruvimbo D Mishi, Ling Ling, Casey J.A. Anttila, Ellen Tsui, Daniela Amann-Zalcenstein, Mark R Dowling, Kelly L. Rogers, Rory Bowden, Yunshun Chen, Simon J Harrison, Edwin D Hawkins

Read Full Article.

Blood Cancer Research