A study looking at developing new treatments for cancers of the blood (MMTA Study)

Cancer type:

Blood cancers

Leukaemia

Lymphoma

Myeloma

Status:

Open

Phase:

Other

This study is looking at developing new treatments for myeloma, lymphoma, leukaemia and some other blood cancers in the laboratory.

More about this trial

Myeloma, lymphoma and leukaemia are all types of blood cancers.

Leukaemia is blood cancer of the white blood cells
Lymphoma is a blood cancer of the lymphatic system
Myeloma is a blood cancer that develops from cells in the bone marrow called plasma cells

In this study, doctors want to use some of the cells from your blood and bone marrow to test the new treatment in the laboratory.

They also want blood and bone marrow from healthy volunteers who do not have a blood cancer

The aims of this study are to:

find out if the new drugs in the laboratory kill blood cancer cells
develop a new test to help treat myeloma in the future

Who can enter

You may be able to enter this trial if you:

are having your blood cancer treatment at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London
have a blood cancer that includes myeloma, leukaemia, lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndrome
Are at least 18 years old

You might be able to join as a healthy volunteer if you do not have a blood cancer, are at least 18 years old and the following also apply.

You cannot enter this trial if you:

have any other illness that would make you unsuitable for the study
are pregnant or breastfeeding

Trial design

This study will recruit 500 people with blood cancer and 100 people without.

Everybody taking part will have a blood test and bone marrow test once a year for 5 years.

Hospital visits

If you have blood cancer, there are no extra hospital visits as part of this trial. You give blood and bone marrow samples when you see the doctor as part of your routine care.

If you are a healthy volunteer the doctors will organise your visit at a time convenient for you.

Side effects

Side effects of bone marrow tests include discomfort and bruising at your biopsy site. You may need some mild painkillers to take home or the doctor may suggest you take paracetamol. Very rarely you may also have bleeding, infection and pain.

You may have a small bruise where you had your blood test.