Developing a non-rodent xenograft model of multiple myeloma and its use in testing novel antagonists of JAM-A signalling

Dr. Ann Hopkins and Prof. Siobhán Glavey

Multiple Myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that causes certain immune cells to build up to abnormal levels in people’s bone marrow. It is often diagnosed late because people have few symptoms early on. However, it can then progress very quickly to aggressive disease, weakening bones all over the body and interfering with the production of healthy blood cells. Multiple Myeloma causes the immune system to fail and causes severe infections.

Treatments for Multiple Myeloma are not able to cure the disease. To make new treatments it is necessary to make models/mimics of the disease in research laboratories. Relative to cancers such as breast and brain, there are still very few patient-relevant lab models of  Multiple Myeloma. There are also fewer successful therapies for Multiple Myeloma than many other cancers.

Using the joint expertise of a blood cancer clinician and a cancer scientist, this grant will supervise two student projects to develop new experimental models/mimics of Multiple Myeloma and use them to test potential new treatments for Multiple Myeloma. These new treatments centre around a biological pathway called JAM which is turning out to be important in Multiple Myeloma, and is known to be important in other cancers.

This grant brings together two expert researchers; one in myeloma and one in the biological pathway (JAM) who will work together for the first time on myeloma. In combination, this proposal offers a solid foundation for success in developing new models and treatments in Multiple Myeloma, alongside a strong connection to patients and issues of relevance to their care.  Working on this research are PhD Student Niamh McAuley and MSc Student Izabela Cymer in RCSI.

Niamh McAuley and Izabela Cymer

In September 2023, during Blood Cancer Awareness Month, This team launched an information source for Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients.  This booklet ‘Multiple Myeloma in Ireland’ which was developed with MM, advocates, researchers, and clinicians will help people to make informed decisions about their health and research.  It will also aid people on their journey to understand research and the powerful role it plays in high-quality work being done in Ireland now and in the future.

Dr. Ann Hopkins, Izabela Drozdz, Dr. Frances Drummond, Orla Dolan, Niamh McAuley, Prof. Siobhan Glavey

Download the Multiple Myeloma In Ireland Booklet

RESEARCH FINDINGS

Publications

McAuley N, Cymer I, McAvera R, Hopkins AM, Glavey SV. Chromosome 1 Alterations in Multiple Myeloma: Considerations for Precision Therapy. Eur J Haematol. 2024 Dec 4. doi: 10.1111/ejh.14352. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39632279.

Conference Presentations

Annual Conference Hematology Association Ireland 2023, Dublin, Ireland. Title: “Development of a novel immunocompetent xenograft model for Multiple Myeloma in the chick embryo”. Presented by: Izabela Cymer.

BCNI Blood Cancer Symposium 2023. Dublin, Ireland. Title: “Development of a novel xenograft model of Multiple Myeloma on the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane”. Presented by: Izabela Cymer.

EACR-AACR Basic & Translation Research Conference 2024, Dublin, Ireland. Title: “Junctional Adhesion Molecule-A (JAM-A): A novel therapeutic target in multiple myeloma?”- Presented by: Niamh McAuley. Title: “Development of a Novel Immunocompetent Xenograft Model for Multiple Myeloma in the Chick Embryo” – Presented by: Izabela Cymer.

Annual Conference Hematology Association of Ireland 2024, Belfast, Northen Ireland. Title: “Targeted Inhibiton of JAM-A: A novel Therapeutic Strategy to Suppress Proliferation in High-Risk Multiple Myeloma”. Presented by: Niamh McAuley. Title “Testing Tumour Growth, Drug Responsiveness and Systemic Dissemination in a Patient-Centric Chick Embryo Model of Multiple Myeloma”. Presented By: Izabela Cymer. Title: “Creating and Informative Multiple Myeloma Patient Information Booklet: Designing an Effective Public Interaction Panel” – Presented by: Izabela Cymer.

European Hematology Association Conference 2024. Madrid, Spain. Title: “JAM-ming the break on Multiple Myeloma”- Presented by: Niamh McAuley. Title: “Unlocking Multiple Myeloma Insights: Establishment of Xenograft Model on the Chick Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane for Tumour Growth and Drug Testing Studies” – Presented by Izabela Cymer.

European Research Night 2024. Dublin, Ireland. Title: “JAM-ming the break on blood cancer?” – Presented by: Niamh McAuley. Title: “Fighting Multiple Myeloma: A faster, Ethical Way to Study and Test New Treatments” – Presented by Izabela Cymer.

IARC Conference 2024. Dublin, Ireland. Title: “”Creating and Informative Multiple Myeloma Patient Information Booklet: Designing an Effective Public Interaction Panel” – Presented by: Izabela Cymer. IARC – Patrick Johnston Award – Title: “JAM-ming the break on blood cancer?” – Presented by: Niamh McAuley.

IACR Conference 2025, Belfast, Northen Ireland. Title: “Targeted Inhibition of JAM-A: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy to Suppress Proliferation in High-Risk Myeloma” (Biomedical Session) and “JAM-ming the brake on multiple myeloma” (Paddy Johnston’s Session) – Presented by: Niamh McAuley.

Title: “Systemic Dissemination and Responsiviness to Clinically-used Therapeutics is Recapitulated in a Chick Embryo Xenograft Model of Multiple Myeloma” (Biomedical Session) and “Egg-squisitely Useful: How Chicken Eggs Can Help The Fight Against Blood Cancers” (Paddy Johnston’s Session – Oral Presentation competition) – Presented by: Izabela Cymer.

Awards:

Hematology Association of Ireland (HAI) Annual Conference 2024 – Best Poster Prize. Awardee: Niamh McAuley.

Patrick Johnston Award 2024 – Finalist: Niamh McAuley.

Beaumont Hospital Transnational Research Awards: Best Scientific Poster. Awardee: Niamh McAuley.

RCSI Student Leadership Development Award. Awardee: Niamh McAuley.

IACR EACR-AACR-IACR Basic and Translational Research Conference – Travel Bursary. Awardee: Izabela Cymer.

Patrick Johnston Award 2025 – Finalist: Izabela Cymer.

Highly Commended Display Poster Prizes, Biomedical session, IACR 2025, Belafast, Northen Ireland – Izabela Cymer.