The new assay identifies genetic changes and immunotherapy targets to help guide treatment for patients with the blood cancer.
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of City of Hope, announced the launch of JAYseq, a clinical whole genome sequencing (WGS) test designed for multiple myeloma.
Developed and performed by the CAP-accredited TGen Clinical Laboratory, the test is intended for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, relapsed or refractory disease, or related plasma cell disorders. Multiple myeloma is the second-most common blood cancer in the US, with approximately 35,000 new cases diagnosed annually.
The assay uses TGen’s ALTseq technology to return results in 72 hours. According to TGen, the test provides a molecular map to guide personalized treatment strategies.
“The launch of JAYseq represents a meaningful step in oncology testing, one that allows physicians to make a more precise treatment decision for patients facing one of the most complex blood cancers,” says Jeffrey M Trent, PhD, TGen president and research director, in a release. “By delivering a full genomic profile in under 72 hours, we are accelerating the diagnostic steps that have historically prevented timely intervention.”
Multiple myeloma diagnostic efforts have historically faced challenges in isolating tumor cells from bone marrow. JAYseq uses magnetic sorting for CD138+ cells and high-throughput sequencing to address these hurdles. This process allows for the simultaneous detection of small mutations, insertions, deletions, copy number changes, translocations, and complex rearrangements within a single test.
The test analyzes 3 billion base pairs of a patient’s DNA, which enables the identification of high-risk markers and the presence of specific cell surface proteins targeted by immunotherapies. Traditional tests, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or cytogenetics, often require multiple steps and only examine a portion of the genome.
“For the first time, JAYseq allows us to view the full genomic blueprint of each multiple myeloma tumor. This enables us to identify not only why a specific therapy might succeed, but also which mutations could cause it to fail,” says Jonathan Keats, PhD, associate professor in TGen’s clinical genomics and therapeutics division, in a release. “This level of detail is essential for truly individualizing cancer care.”
The assay also assesses target status for immunotherapies, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, bi-specific antibodies, and antibody-based therapies. This allows for risk-adapted treatment approaches and the use of mutation-specific therapies at the time of diagnosis or relapse.
“In the era of targeted therapies with multiple approved CAR T and bi-specific therapies it is essential that our decisions incorporate the unique features of each patients tumor,” says Amrita Krishnan, MD, executive medical director of hematology at City of Hope Orange County, in a release. “JAYseq provides the clarity and speed we’ve been missing, allowing us to tailor therapy with a level of precision that simply wasn’t possible before.”
The development of the assay was supported by philanthropic contributions and built on data from the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) CoMMpass study.
“The CoMMpass study produced some of the most comprehensive myeloma genomic data in the world. We are excited to see TGen continue to push the boundaries of precision medicine for myeloma patients,” says George Mulligan, PhD, chief scientific officer at the MMRF, in a release.
