Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignancy of plasma cells that develops within the bone marrow, represents the second most frequently diagnosed form of blood cancer. Despite major therapeutic progress in the last two decades, MM is generally considered incurable with currently available standard of care treatments. This year around 2,600 Australians will be diagnosed with myeloma and this cancer, which affects white blood cells, will claim 1,100 lives. The chance of survival after five years is currently 55%.
The Barrie Dalgleish Centre for Myeloma and Related Blood Cancers harnesses the collective human talent, resources and equipment from across Peter Mac and our partner organisations to enhance our knowledge of the biological and molecular causes of multiple myeloma, develop new diagnostic and therapeutic options, and ultimately put in place new treatment modalities for patients. Partners include WEHI, University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, St Vincent’s Medical Research Institute and St Vincent’s Hospital.
The Centre’s mission is to make new discoveries in multiple myeloma research that will lead to translatable outcomes important not just for multiple myeloma, but for other types of blood cancers.