Developing an innovative treatment monitoring tool in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma does not yet have a cure, but because of research investments it can be controlled. To control myeloma, we need very sensitive medical tools. These tools detect when the myeloma flares up and needs to be treated. The sooner we know when to treat, the better quality of life a myeloma patient can have. The more we know about myeloma the better treatments can get. Here, we will use a new tool to chemically fingerprint myeloma. The tool uses Nanotechnology Surface Enhanced Raman Light Scattering (NanoSERS) to find the unique by-products of myeloma cells. This technique is simple, easy to set-up and low-cost. If successful, oncologists and patients could be better informed about the progress of myeloma. In the future, this new tool could provide new information to help improve myeloma therapy.