Researchers at St George’s, University of London have developed a new directory that could lead to quicker and more targeted treatment for multiple myeloma and other cancer patients.

The directory identifies 40,000 genes that can cause cancer and lists the effects on each gene by three drugs used in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

The three drugs included in the directory are thalidomide (Thalomid), Revlimid (lenalidomide), and Actimid (pomalidomide, CC-4047). Both thalidomide and Revlimid are approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Actimid is still being tested for multiple myeloma treatment.

Since cancer is caused by gene mutations, the intent would be for a drug to neutralize the mutated gene’s production of cancerous substances. Doctors would use a DNA test to tailor drug therapy to the patient’s genetic code.

“I hope that in the longer term, the approach to treating cancer will involve a greater element of tailored therapy,” said Dr. Wai Liu, the study’s leader.

This kind of treatment is groundbreaking because tumors with different genetic characteristics would be treated as different diseases, even if they are affecting the same area of the body. Current drug therapy is not always successful because cancers in the same area of the body can be caused by different genes in different patients, and therefore, drugs have different effects on different patients.

The directory contains effects for each of the three drugs in the form of a spreadsheet that can be searched based on the drug or the gene. Additionally, it predicts effects of the drugs if used in combination. Using this kind of a database could cut down on side effects by eliminating treatments that would be unsuccessful for specific patients.

The researchers pooled their data from studies on the effectiveness of the drugs on cancer cells as well as tumors in mice.

“The study should provide us with an extended insight into the actions and mechanisms of the drugs,” added Dr. Liu. “Generating directories, such as the one that we have reported, should help in developing new combination approaches in cancer treatment regimens.”

This directory is a result from a study published in Molecular Biology Reports in July.

Dr. Liu and his colleagues have not yet started testing the drugs in combination, but hope to by the end of next year.

For more information, please see the St. George’s, University of London press release or the study in Molecular Biology Reports (abstract).