Dr. Vij on Tumor Bank for Multiple Myeloma at Siteman Cancer Center

Ravi Vij, MD, associate professor, medicine, Division of Oncology, Section of Bone Marrow Transplant, Siteman Cancer Center, discusses the institution's tumor banking initiative for next-generation sequencing in multiple myeloma.

Initially, the tumor banking initiative at Siteman Cancer Center was set up to research acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, Vij says. The tumor tissues were eventually used for next-generation sequencing, which has helped with the genomics of these diseases to help develop targeted therapies.

The tumor bank is being pulled from again, Vij explains, to research next-generation sequencing in multiple myeloma. Coupled with new technologies, it will help to better define the mutational spectrum of patients with multiple myeloma. These tissues are also to be used in collaboration with other institutions and companies to help improve outcomes of these patients.

Additional tumor bank initiatives are taking place at other institutions for other malignancies, Vij says.