Australian researchers have mapped human bone marrow at the molecular level, uncovering new insights into multiple myeloma, Xinhua reported.

Using advanced spatial transcriptomics, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) analyzed over 5,000 genes in individual cells, revealing that cancerous plasma cells form unique microenvironments in the bone marrow. “It’s like discovering that each tumor has its own postcode,” said researcher Raymond Yip.

According to Xinhua, the findings explain why patients respond differently to treatments and could guide more personalized approaches to managing the incurable blood cancer, which affects over 2,500 Australians annually.