A recent study has identified a genetic signature that can predict which patients with multiple myeloma are most likely to benefit from treatment with venetoclax (Venclexta). The research, published in Blood Neoplasia, suggests that a specific six-gene pattern can help clinicians tailor treatments and improve patient outcomes.
Identifying Responders to Venetoclax
Researchers analyzed the genetics of 58 multiple myeloma patients treated with venetoclax between 2017 and 2021. They discovered a distinct genetic pattern where higher scores were associated with less favorable responses to the drug. This finding suggests that genetic testing could be used to identify the best candidates for venetoclax therapy.
According to Alessandro Lagana, Assistant Professor of Oncological Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, "By knowing which patients might benefit the most, we can customize treatments to improve their chances of success."
Venclexta and Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of blood plasma cells, with approximately 35,780 new cases expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2024, leading to about 12,540 deaths. Venetoclax is a targeted therapy that inhibits BCL-2, a protein that prevents cancer cells from undergoing apoptosis (natural cell death). The FDA approved Venclexta in 2018, but until now, it has been unclear which patients would benefit most from the drug.
Synergistic Effects with CDK7 Inhibitors
The study also found that venetoclax was most effective when combined with a CDK7 inhibitor, another type of drug that promotes natural cell death. "Combining venetoclax with CDK7 inhibitors might help more patients respond positively, especially those who might not respond well to venetoclax alone," Lagana noted.
Future Directions
Researchers plan to validate these findings in a larger patient cohort and to investigate the combined use of venetoclax and CDK7 inhibitors in clinical trials. The goal is to develop more personalized treatment plans based on individual genetic profiles, ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma.
