Bing Center Spotlight
March 7, 2012: WM Genome Project: A team of scientists at the Bing Center 
for Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA led by Steven P. Treon MD, PhD announced the identification of a gene mutation that underlies most cases of Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia. The research which was presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology on December 12, 2011 described a mutation occurring in one single DNA molecule out of three billion DNA molecules which make up the genetic code of a cell, as the leading culprit in Waldenstrom’s and a target for new diagnostic tests and drug development for this disease. The mutation was discovered after the team performed whole genome sequencing of tumor and normal cells from thirty patients with Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia. By lining up and comparing the DNA sequences of tumor and normal cells, Treon and his colleagues were able to detect the same recurring mutation in the MYD88 gene, a finding present in ninety percent of patients with Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia who were tested. In most patients the L265P mutation was found in one of the 2 copies of the MYD88 gene, but in some patients with a longstanding history of WM, a reduplication of the segment of chromosome 3 where MYD88 is located resulted in 2 copies of the L265P mutation being present. The clinical significance of having an extra copy of the mutation remains to be determined.
Bing Center News
December 10-13, 2011, San Diego, CA - Researchers from the Bing Center for WM attended the 53rd Annual ASH Meeting and Exposition. There they delivered 5 oral presentations including findings from the first whole genome sequencing project for WM, and continuing investigations into the MYD88 signaling pathway, and expression of Oct-2, Spi-B, and Id2/Id1.
Patients
Feb 5, 2012: Dana Farber Jimmy Fund Auditorium: Dr. Steven Treon delivered a lecture on the Genetic Basis & Therapy of Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia to the New England Support Group. The lecture can be viewed in its entirety by clicking here.
Drs. Steven Treon and Irene Ghobrial are now accepting new consults. If you are interested in making an appointment, please contact our new patient coordinator, Andrew Brown at 617-632-3823.
Researchers / Physicians
Plasma cell regulatory pathways in WM. In recent studies, we have attempted to dissect the molecular mechanisms which prevent WM cells from fully differentiating into plasma cells. Ordinarily, B-cells mature in a defined manner passing through the mature B-cell stage to lymphoplasmacytic cells, and then onto mature plasma cells. Mature plasma cells make antibodies that serve to protect us against pathogens, and typically include the IgA and IgG antibodies.