Gamma Delta T cells in Health and Multiple Myeloma (GaMMa Study)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Gamma Delta T cells in Health and Multiple Myeloma (GaMMa Study)
IRAS ID
362110
Contact name
Charles Agbuduwe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
182118, EDGE ID
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable type of blood cancer in which malignant plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow leading to serious complications. In most patients, the disease is characterised by remissions and relapses which shorten with subsequent lines of treatment. In some patients, an indolent phase called smouldering myeloma is managed by close monitoring. Myeloma plasma cells depend on the bone marrow microenvironment to thrive and the microenvironment includes immune cells such as Gamma Delta (GD) T cells. In lab experiments, GD T cells have been shown to eliminate myeloma cells. However, little is known about how GD T cells influence outcomes in MM patients and vice versa. This study will also investigate if failure of GD T cell function in MM patients could be responsible for MM relapse after treatment.
To investigate the role of GD T cells in MM, this study will compare detailed characteristics of GD T cells in healthy donors (HD, n=40) and MM patients (n=40). Blood samples will be analysed from HD participants while blood and bone marrow samples will be analysed in MM patients. The cohort of MM patients will include 10 newly diagnosed patients who will be followed up for up to 3 years and relapsed/refractory MM patients including patients receiving novel bispecific antibodies. MM study population will be recruited from patients receiving treatment in Hammersmith Hospital, London following informed consent. HD will be a diverse group of volunteers based in London.
This study will answer fundamental questions regarding GD T cell biology and their interaction with MM cells with a view to ultimately developing effective GD T cell-based therapies for MM.REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NE/0208
Date of REC Opinion
3 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion