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Participant involvement

After we have confirmed your eligibility for the study we will carry out some initial study assessments:

  • Record your height & weight
  • Take blood samples to be sent to the hospital laboratory for standard tests. 
  • Take blood samples to be sent to specialist research laboratories for research tests.
  • For individuals with MBL, Stage A CLL, IgM-MGUS and WM, a saliva sample will be taken (using spit); for participants with IgG/IgA-MGUS or SM, we will use a peripheral blood sample instead.
  • Ask you to fill in some quality of life questionnaires
  • Record your COVID-19 vaccination status

Either on the same day or within the next 8 weeks you will also have:

  • For individuals with MBL or Stage A CLL, a bone marrow biopsy to take a sample of liquid (aspirate) from your bone marrow, if you previously consented to this and the hospital has the operational capacity. This procedure is completely optional and will not affect your ability to enter the study if you decide against having the additional bone marrow biopsy.
  • a CT scan or MRI scan. If you’ve been diagnosed with IgG MGUS, IgA MGUS or smouldering myeloma you’ll have an MRI scan. All other participants will have a CT scan if they previously consented to this and your local hospital has the operational capacity. The additional scan is completely optional and will not affect your ability to enter the study if you decide against it.

You might already have had a CT, PET-CT or MRI scan as part of your routine care, particularly if you have been diagnosed with SM or MGUS.  If this is the case and the previous scan was in the last year we will ask for a copy of the report from the previous scan instead of (or as well as) you having a further scan. If you’ve already had a scan but we ask you to have another this will always be an MRI. This is to limit the amount of radiation you are exposed to as MRIs (unlike CT and PET-CT) do not expose you to radiation.

More specific detail about the bone marrow aspirate, scans and other research assessments can be found in our participant information sheet.

After the first visit we would like to see you again around 2 years later and either at 3 or 5 years later, depending on when you joined the trial. We will also contact you by phone after 1 year to confirm you’re still happy to be involved and answer any questions you have, and again at the end of the trial.

The visits to the hospital will consist of: 

  • A physical examination
  • Blood samples
  • Completion of quality of life questionnaires
  • Recording your COVID-19 vaccination status
  • Asking you about any significant new medical conditions since your last visit and any new medications you’re taking

If your condition is found to progress over the course of the study you will be invited for a further bone marrow biopsy and scan, your involvement in the study will then be over.

Please note that if you are one of the later participants to join the study you may not have a year 5 visit, as the study may end before you have taken part for 5 years. 

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