Correlation of changes in subclonal architecture with progression in the MMRF CoMMpass study

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous plasma cell proliferative disorder that arises from its premalignant precursor stages through a complex cascade of interactions between clonal mutations and co-evolving microenvironment. The temporo-spatial evolutionary trajectories of MM are established early during myelomatogenesis in precursor stages and retained in MM. Such molecular events impact subsequent disease progression and clinical outcomes. Identification of clonal sweeps of actionable gene targets in MM could reveal potential vulnerabilities that may exist in early stages and thus potentiate prognostication and customization of early therapeutic interventions. We have evaluated clonal evolution at multiple time points in 76 MM patients enrolled in the MMRF CoMMpass study. The major findings of this study are (a) MM progresses predominantly through branching evolution, (b) there is a heterogeneous spectrum of mutational landscapes that include unique actionable gene targets at diagnosis compared to progression, (c) unique clonal gains/ losses of mutant driver genes can be identified in patients with different cytogenetic aberrations, (d) there is a significant correlation between co-occurring oncogenic mutations/ co-occurring subclones e.g., with mutated TP53+SYNE1, NRAS+MAGI3, and anticorrelative dependencies between FAT3+FCGBP gene pairs. Such co-trajectories may synchronize molecular events of drug response, myelomatogenesis and warrant future studies to explore their potential for early prognostication and development of risk stratified personalized therapies in MM.

Automated summary

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous plasma cell proliferative disorder, and its evolution in the early stages has significant impact on the disease progression and clinical outcomes. This study reveals that MM predominantly progresses through branching evolution, and there are distinct mutational landscapes and actionable gene targets at diagnosis compared to progression. Additionally, unique clonal gains/losses of mutant driver genes can be identified in patients with different cytogenetic aberrations, and there are correlated oncogenic mutations and co-occurring subclones. These findings provide insights into the molecular events of drug response and myelomatogenesis, and may contribute to early prognostication and development of personalized therapies for MM.