Bing Center Spotlight
WM Genome Project - Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Bing 
Center for WM have identified a gene mutation that underlies the vast majority of cases of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, a rare form of lymphoma that has eluded all previous efforts to find a genetic cause.
The research abstracts that were presented at the American Society of Hematology's 2011 annual meeting on December 12, 2011, point to an error in a single digit of DNA – one of three billion letters in the human genetic code – as the leading culprit in Waldenström's, and a prime target for new therapies against the disease. The discovery was made by sequencing the genome of tumor cells in Waldenström's patients, reading the cells' DNA letter by letter, and seeing where it differed from that of the patients' normal cells.
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.
Three posters were also presented, showcasing the latest research in the areas of bortezomib-containing regimens, MicroRNA studies, and a multicenter study of the MTOR inhibitor Everolimus (RAD001).
Patients
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.
The WM Macroglobulinemia Clinic at the DFCI is devoted to the care of patients with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia and related IgM disorders, including IgM MGUS, Myeloma and Neuropathies.
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.