Grant: Operating Grant

Multiple myeloma is the second most common form of blood cancers and it remains incurable despite the addition of novel therapeutic strategies for this disease. Cancer cells invariably escape the therapeutic effect of drugs by rearranging their genetic make up overtime, an event known as genomic instability. We have identified a novel approach that takes advantage of these modifications in myeloma cells. Combining drugs that block the machinery responsible for DNA damage repair with agents that block the recycling factories, we have successfully induced catastrophic and irreversible damages that are lethal to myeloma cells. In the current research proposal we first intend to study in depth the mechanisms through the combination of these drugs induce myeloma cell death and also uncover potential mechanisms of resistance and ways to overcome them. In addition we will conduct a clinical trial to define the safety and feasibility of combining these classes of drugs in myeloma patients. We strongly believe that such approach has uncovered the Achilles heel of myeloma cells.