MGUS surveillance and treatment v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS): Performance of surveillance systems and evaluation of treatment outcomes.
IRAS ID
337090
Contact name
Eulitty Gumunyu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
ROYAL BERKSHIRE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) is an asymptomatic premalignant plasma cell disorder associated with a risk of developing multiple myeloma (MM - blood cancer that develops in the plasma cells in the bone) and other blood cancers. MGUS does not cause symptoms and is usually diagnosed incidentally. It is more common in males, the over 80-year-olds, and people of black ancestry. Presently, there are no MGUS screening recommendations for the public. MGUS and MM are characterised by the presence of Myeloma (M) proteins in blood and urine. Risk of MM is patients develop organ and tissue damage and there is no cure. Although there has been progress in treatments, patients relapse and become less responsive to treatment, resulting in reduced health related quality of life. Treatment for MM is traditionally via transplant.New advanced treatments have improved survival rates, but these are expensive.
Considering 5,800 people are diagnosed with MM every year in the UK, minimising delays to MM diagnosis will have a huge impact on healthcare systems. There are surveillance systems in place for monitoring MGUS patients, but their effectiveness is not known. The aim of this observational cross section study is to compare surveillance methods for MGUS at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust Hospital (RBFT) and Oxford University Hospital (OUH) by using retrospective patient data.
Furthermore, this study also will explore if there are other MGUS surveillance systems used by other NHS Trusts in England by conducting an anonymous survey sent out to NHS clinicians across England. This study will aid us to plan for a national research project in order to create an effective surveillance system that will alert clinicians to treat intermediate stages of MM before onset of end stage of organ damage.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EM/0116
Date of REC Opinion
16 May 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion