Method may help MM patients avoid bone marrow biopsies

Dr Karnik said, in the future, researchers may use this design to perform genetic tests on the captured cells or look for mutations in the cells that may further characterize MM.

“We can capture and stain these cells in the device, which opens the possibility of studying whether there are new mutations in the cells,” Dr Karnik said.

“With cancers like multiple myeloma, even for patients in remission, cancer can recur. Detecting the level or mutation of plasma cells in blood might provide an early detection method for these patients.”