Life Sciences

Editorial Note and Articles

Abstract

Editors: Naoise Irwin, Cathal Keane, Uju Obilor Anyanwu

Abstracts:

Current and Emerging Treatment Strategies in Multiple Myeloma
Joyce Barry, Junior Sophister, Biochemistry

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a haematological malignancy characterised by the neoplastic proliferation of antibody producing clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow. ‘Myeloma’ refers to the malignancy of the bone marrow, and the prefix ‘multiple’ is used because the disease manifestation incorporates many organs. MM could therefore be thought of as “a combination of numerous diseases with a common clinical phenotype”.1 This malignancy is currently treatable, but incurable, and the cause is still unknown. Current prognosis is 4-5 years if treated.

The advent of novel drugs such as proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs and monoclonal antibodies has significantly transformed the therapeutic landscape. When combined with autologous stem cell transplantation, these drugs have vastly improved outcomes and response rates for patients. New agents are continuously coming to light, the most recent and notable example being histone deacetylase inhibitors. Experimental therapies such as vaccines are also showing promise, with the potential to decrease incidences of multiple myeloma in the first instance. Ongoing research is aiming to improve the management of multiple myeloma in patients, while also working towards a cure.

Abstract 2:

Metabolomics and its Applications to Personalized Medicine
Lee Sherlock, Senior Sophister, Biochemistry

The primary concern of this review is the role of metabolomics and clinically useful biomarkers for disease diagnoses. Demonstrating the variations between individuals in therapeutic outcome and disease susceptibility is a common challenge in clinical practice “due to complicated interactions between genetic and environmental factors”. 1

The concept of personalised medicine is of great interest as it is a therapeutic approach involving the use of genetic and epigenetic information to tailor drug therapy and preventative care. This review highlights important aspects of the innovative field of metabolomics. Namely, measurement methods of the metabolome, the contributions that metabolomics has made, and could potentially make regarding personalizing medicine. Furthermore, current advancements in statistical analysis and methodologies that are enhancing the field of metabolomics to personalize medicine.