Myeloma and COVID-19: Dana-Farber and Quest Diagnostics Collaborate on IMPACT Study
Posted: Thursday, December 3, 2020
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Quest Diagnostics recently announced a collaborative effort to conduct the IMPACT study, which will investigate the short- and long-term impact of COVID-19 on a population at risk of developing myeloma or that has a precursor condition to myeloma such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma. This population may be more susceptible to complications after exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 or during recovery from the disease. Through this collaboration, Quest Diagnostics will perform SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) IgG antibody testing at no cost to study participants through an in-kind donation to Dana-Farber.
The IMPACT trial will attempt to answer the following questions: How will these individuals be affected by the virus, and will they be affected at higher rates? How severe is the prognosis? What is the long-term immune response after infection in patients with precursor blood cancer compared with healthy individuals? What is the long-term response after vaccination?
“This study is critical to arm medical professionals with important information and guidance on how to proceed when treating patients with MGUS and smoldering multiple myeloma during the pandemic,” said Irene Ghobrial, MD, a clinical investigator and senior physician at Dana-Farber, in an institutional press release.
This study requires participants to be enrolled for 1 year. If they test positive for the presence of COVID-19 antibodies, they must provide blood samples every 3 months during this 1-year period. Participants must be part of either the PROMISE or PCROWD studies. The PROMISE study aims to enroll and screen for multiple myeloma or its precursor conditions. The PCROWD study, a sister study for people with precursor conditions, is for adults who have been diagnosed with MGUS, smoldering multiple myeloma, or Waldenstrӧm’s macroglobulinemia.
