Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) have unveiled the first comprehensive molecular map of human bone marrow, offering groundbreaking insights into the behavior of myeloma, an incurable blood cancer. Utilizing cutting-edge spatial technology, the team has created a detailed ‘Google map’ of the bone marrow, imaging over 5,000 genes within individual cells. This study, published in the journal Blood, challenges long-held beliefs about myeloma’s development and progression, potentially paving the way for more effective, personalized treatments.
The announcement comes as scientists continue to grapple with myeloma’s complexity. The disease affects plasma cells in the bone marrow and is often diagnosed with multiple bone lesions. Despite existing treatments that manage symptoms and slow progression, myeloma remains incurable, affecting over 2,500 Australians annually. The new research suggests that each cancer cell may create its own unique microenvironment, a revelation that could redefine therapeutic approaches.
Challenging Existing Myeloma Theories
Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma, has traditionally been viewed as a disease with uniform characteristics across patients. Scientists believed that universal treatments could be developed to target common features of myeloma cells. However, the WEHI study reveals that each group of cancerous plasma cells forms a distinct space within the bone marrow, complete with unique supporting cells and gene activity.
Dr. Raymond Yip, co-first author and postdoctoral researcher in the Hawkins Lab at WEHI, explained the significance of these findings. “We found that each group of cancerous plasma cells creates its own distinct space, with different supporting cells and gene activity,” he said. “It’s like discovering that each tumor has its own postcode. Our findings challenge current thinking on myeloma and could redefine how we understand and treat the disease.”
“Ultimately, this research lays the foundation for more effective treatment strategies for myeloma and potentially for other blood cancers.” – Dr. Raymond Yip
Implications for Treatment and Patient Outcomes
The study analyzed bone marrow samples from healthy individuals, patients with early signs of disease, and those newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The findings indicate that malignant plasma cells are not evenly distributed but instead cluster in spatially restricted areas, each with a unique biological signature. This could explain why treatment outcomes vary significantly among patients.
Jeremy Er, clinician PhD researcher and co-first author, noted that the research could lead to more tailored treatment strategies. “We hope this work is the first step in developing more tailored strategies and new ways to detect, monitor, and treat myeloma,” he said.
Transforming Cancer Research with Spatial Technology
The WEHI team harnessed advanced spatial technologies to visualize cellular behavior in its natural environment, transforming the study of complex diseases like cancer. By combining spatial transcriptomics with an optimized biobanking method for bone marrow samples, researchers profiled 5,001 genes at single-cell resolution, analyzing the cellular landscape in unprecedented detail.
This collaborative effort involved partners from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHRMC), the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), Victorian Cancer Agency, Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand (HSANZ), and Walking Up the Hill Foundation. Philanthropic support from the Roebuck Foundation and the Barrie Dalgleish Centre for Myeloma and Related Blood Cancers was also instrumental.
The study, “Profiling the spatial architecture of multiple myeloma in human bone marrow trephine biopsy specimens with spatial transcriptomics,” is published in Blood (DOI: 10.1182/blood.2025028896).
The Road Ahead for Myeloma Research
This breakthrough in understanding myeloma’s complexity marks a significant step forward in cancer research. By revealing the unique microenvironments created by cancer cells, scientists can develop more personalized treatment approaches, potentially improving patient outcomes. As researchers continue to explore these findings, the hope is to translate this knowledge into clinical practice, offering new hope for those battling myeloma and other blood cancers.
About WEHI: The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research is dedicated to making life-changing scientific discoveries that help people live healthier lives. With over a century of transformative research in cancer, infection, immunity, and lifelong health, WEHI collaborates with diverse partners to solve some of the world’s most complex health problems.
