By Richard Hite, as told to Jo Cavallo ASCO Post November 25, 2019 I was just 39 in 2015 when I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. I have a wife and three young children whom I love, a challenging and fulfilling career, and I wasn’t ready to die. When I was first diagnosed, I met [...]
Read MoreThere is so much CAR T development happening in myeloma, it's hard to keep track of it all. One of the sessions discussed relapsed and refractory myeloma strategies and almost all of the discussion centered around CAR T. Siddhartha Ganguly, MD of the University of Kansas shares the importance of CAR T trials and those [...]
Read MoreB-cell maturation agent (BCMA) is a very popular target for multiple myeloma therapies currently in development. Gareth Morgan, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, PhD of NYU Langone joins the Myeloma Crowd at ASH to review the BCMA-targeting therapies being reviewed at the meeting. There are three key immunotherapy approaches that all look highly effective for the [...]
Read MoreThe Friday symposiums before the American Society of Hematology meeting are some of the best reasons to attend the conference. In one morning session, several myeloma "debates" were presented with two doctors each taking a contrasting opinion. The debate still rages - should myeloma patients go immediately to transplant or wait until they relapse? Amrita [...]
Read MoreMultiple myeloma is a blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. Some of the white blood cells can leave the bone marrow and enter the bloodstream. This is called circulating plasma cells (or cCPCs) but there are only limited tests available today to detect these CPCs and they are not entirely reliable. CPCs in [...]
Read MoreAbout 6.7% of the population in the United States has depression and it can have an impact on long-term outcomes when a blood cancer diagnosis is layered on. Multiple myeloma patients who are dealing with depression when diagnosed don't live as long as other myeloma patients, according to a new study. A group of Japanese [...]
Read MoreUsing the antibiotic levofloxacin prior to stem cell transplant reduces death in newly diagnosed myeloma patients, according to a new study by UK myeloma research collaborators and Myeloma UK. Infection is the leading cause of death for myeloma patients because the myeloma critically depresses the immune system. In the United Kingdom, there are [...]
Read MorePhase III results of a recent study (TOURMALINE-MM4) show that Ninlaro (ixazomib) can prolong survival when used as maintenance therapy for multiple myeloma patients who are not fit enough to receive a stem cell transplant. Ninlaro is in a class of drugs called proteasome inhibitors. Revlimid (lenalomide), an immumomodulator, is commonly used in today's myeloma [...]
Read MoreClifford Reid, PhD Travera Interview Date: October 23, 2019 Thanks to our episode sponsor Summary Can you tell how well a myeloma treatment might work on your personal tumor by weighing the cancer cells? Clifford Reid, PhD and CEO of Travera shares a new approach to "personalized medicine" in multiple myeloma. Cancer cells [...]
Read MoreIn the largest ever study of smoldering myeloma patients from 13 major myeloma facilities, lenalidomide was found to delay disease progression, and helped prevent bone damage and end organ damage. The study was run by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and funded by the National Cancer Institute. The study included 182 intermediate or high risk [...]
Read MoreA new CAR T treatment has been delivered to the first myeloma patient, using an off-the-shelf approach with donor T cells aimed at a new target, CS1. Most CAR T cell therapies in today's multiple myeloma clinical trials are "autologous," meaning they use the patient's own T cells. Many CAR T cell therapies in Phase [...]
Read More
Wednesday, November 6 @ 10 am Pacific, 11 am Mountain, Noon Central, 1 pm Eastern Call In by Phone to Listen Live: (347) 637-2631 or Listen Live Via Computer Many myeloma patients are elderly, with the average age of diagnosis being 68. If individuals are fit and active, they can typically receive the "standard of [...]
Read MoreWe’ve seen data before by the Mayo Clinic and the University of North Carolina showing that multiple myeloma patients who are seen by a myeloma specialist live longer. A new, recent study supports these findings. A state cancer registry linked to public and private insurance claims was used to identify 1029 myeloma patients from 2006 [...]
Read MoreHaving a treatment plan is essential for all myeloma patients, regardless of where you are at in your treatment journey. College football anchor Rod Gilmore, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in July 2016, knows how challenging a new diagnosis can be and is partnering with Amgen Oncology as part of this year’s Myeloma MVP team. [...]
Read MoreIt has been a difficult time in the past few weeks. We have lost three incredible myeloma patient advocates who have helped their fellow myeloma patients in their own unique way. My heart hurts. I am honored to have known them all and have found it difficult in the past few days to find the [...]
Read MoreDonate to the MCRI Today The Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative (MCRI) taps into the power of crowdsourcing and crowdfunding to find and fund the best ideas, research and clinical applications leading to new myeloma treatments or potential cures. Currently, the MCRI is funding three research projects: Dr. Chung, MD, PhD - Creating an [...]
Read MoreDonate to the MCRI Today The Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative (MCRI) taps into the power of crowdsourcing and crowdfunding to find and fund the best ideas, research and clinical applications leading to new myeloma treatments or potential cures. Currently, the MCRI is funding three research projects: Dr. Chung, MD, PhD - Creating an [...]
Read MoreWednesday, October 23 @ 10 am Pacific, 11 am Mountain, Noon Central, 1 pm Eastern Call In by Phone to Listen Live: (347) 637-2631 or Listen Live Via Computer How much does a cancer cell weigh? And why does it matter? As cancer cells die, they change their weight (or mass) in a matter of [...]
Read MoreNatalie Callander, MD University of Wisconsin Interview Date: September 30, 2019 Thanks to our episode sponsor Summary Cancer cells have a different thickness of cell membrane than normal cells. A new treatment is exploiting that difference by delivering a targeted therapy to just the cancer cells while avoiding the normal cells. Cellectar is [...]
Read MoreA short article was just published in the journal Clinical Interventions in Aging that discusses the effectiveness of vaccination of MGUS patients with Prevnar (Pfizer’s 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine). The article provides some cautions for MGUS patients, such as: ‘Numerous studies have confirmed the association of MGUS with infections, particularly pneumonia, infections caused by viruses [...]
Read MoreEarlier detection of multiple myeloma before bone damage occurs extends lives, according to a Swedish study presented at the 17th International Myeloma Workshop. In the study, researchers used the Swedish Cancer Register to gather information on 14,013 myeloma patients such as birthdate, myeloma diagnosis date, fractures and death dates. A model was used to estimate [...]
Read MoreIsraeli researchers identified why multiple myeloma may become resistant to Velcade (bortezomib) by studying the complex signaling that happens in the bone marrow environment. Velcade is a proteasome inhibitor and is a standard treatment for the disease. Velcade is used for induction therapy, in combination therapies and also as maintenance therapy. Although it prolongs survival, [...]
Read MoreThe key word is "hope" from the recent IMW 2019 meeting, according to myeloma specialist Mohamad Mohty, MD, PhD, Professor of Hematology and head of the Hematology and Cellular Therapy Department at the Saint-Antoine Hospital at University Pierre & Marie Curie, Paris, France. Dr. Mohty shared two topics he believes stood out at the meeting: MRD Testing [...]
Read MoreAs seen on PRNewswire HealthTree IRB-Approved Data Study to Identify Potential Correlations Between Diseases SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Myeloma Crowd™, a division of the CrowdCare Foundation, today announced the launch of a new study to identify correlations between psoriasis and multiple myeloma. Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease of the skin and multiple [...]
Read MoreAn antibody drug conjugate is a type of immunotherapy being explored in multiple myeloma. Glaxo-Smith Klein is developing a new antibody drug conjugate in myeloma called Belantamab mafodotin (or "belmaf" for short). These drugs use the immune system to find the right myeloma-specific target and then drop a toxic payload in a targeted way. At [...]
Read MoreIrene Ghobrial, MD Dana Farber Cancer Institute Interview Date: September 4, 2019 Thanks to our episode sponsor Summary The PROMISE study is the world's largest screening study for multiple myeloma and is led by top myeloma researchers Dr. Irene Ghobrial of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Dr. Ivan Borrello of Johns Hopkins. [...]
Read MoreAre myeloma patients still considered "vaccinated" following a stem cell transplant? Dr. Maximillian Merz joins the Myeloma Crowd at the recent IMW meeting in Boston to share recent findings. It is believed that patients should get vaccinated after transplant, but this is the first time that it has been tested to see if patients responded [...]
Read MoreMelflufen is an anti-myeloma drug by Octopeptides AB given by IV infusion that is currently in clinical trials. Dr. Paul Richardson of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute shared an update on the HORIZON study results at the recent International Myeloma Workshop (IMW) conference in Boston. Melflufen is a new IV therapy currently in clinical trials [...]
Read More
Monday, September 30, 2019 @ 8 am Pacific, 9 am Mountain, 10 am Central, 11 am Eastern Call In by Phone to Listen Live: (347) 637-2631 or Listen Live Via Computer Cellectar Biosciences is working on testing a radiosensitive therapy in blood cancers including multiple myeloma. Their product, CLR 131, targets the myeloma tumors by [...]
Read MoreWhen should myeloma vaccines be used for patients? Dr. Syed Abbas Ali, MD of Johns Hopkins Medicine tells us that it's usually when there is a low tumor burden, like after stem cell transplant or when patients are on maintenance and their myeloma is under control. Dr. Ali shares his Phase II study of a [...]
Read MoreWhat is the best approach for maintenance therapy? How long should patients be on maintenance? Can I stop treatment if I'm minimal residual disease (MRD) negative? These important questions need to be answered if maintenance therapy is going to be applied properly for myeloma patients. Amrita Krishnan, MD, Director of the City of Hope multiple [...]
Read MoreTwo relatively newer therapies (carfilzomib and daratumumab) have now been combined with dexamethasone in the Phase III CANDOR study and showed a 37% reduction in the risk of myeloma progression or death for relapsed or refractory myeloma patients treated with the triplet combination. The CANDOR study evaluated 466 relapsed or refractory myeloma patients who had [...]
Read MoreWilliam Matsui, MD Dell Medical School LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes Interview Date: August 20, 2019 Thanks to our episode sponsor Summary Creating a new multiple myeloma center from scratch is a challenge, but one that Dr. William Matsui has successfully accomplished with the new myeloma center at the Austin, Texas Dell Medical School LIVESTRONG [...]
Read MoreRegister Today On Saturday, September 28, 2019, the Medical College of Wisconsin is hosting its 3rd annual Multiple Myeloma Patient and Caregiver Symposium. The event will be held from 7:00 am - 2:30 pm Central time. Keynote and Featured speakers are Dr. Rafael Fonseca, Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine and Professor of [...]
Read MoreDonate to the MCRI Today The Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative (MCRI) taps into the power of crowdsourcing and crowdfunding to find and fund the best ideas, research and clinical applications leading to new myeloma treatments or potential cures. Currently, the MCRI is funding three research projects: Dr. Chung, MD, PhD - Creating an [...]
Read MoreB-cell maturation agent (BCMA) is now a popular target in myeloma treatment and is being investigated in CAR T cell therapy, bispecific antibodies and antibody drug conjugates. Each of these types of immunotherapies use different mechanisms to target the BCMA found on myeloma cells. Researchers are learning that even when BCMA expression is lowered over [...]
Read More
Wednesday, September 4, 2019 @ 10 am Pacific, 11 am Mountain, Noon Central, 1 pm Eastern Call In by Phone to Listen Live: (347) 637-2631 or Listen Live Via Computer Irene Ghobrial, MD of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Ivan Borrello, MD of Johns Hopkins are leading the largest study on precursor myeloma conditions [...]
Read More
Tuesday, August 20 @ 11 am Pacific, Noon Mountain, 1:00 pm Central, 2:00 pm Eastern Call In by Phone to Listen Live: (347) 637-2631 or Listen Live Via Computer. Why are myeloma specialists and researchers so important? What does it take to create a new myeloma research center from scratch? William Matsui, MD recently left [...]
Read MorePaul Richardson, MD Dana Farber Cancer Institute Interview Date: July 31, 2019 Thanks to our episode sponsor Summary Selinexor, by Karyopharm, was recently approved in the myeloma clinic for use in myeloma patients who have relapsed after other lines of standard myeloma treatment. Learn why selinexor was approved early, when it should be [...]
Read MoreOne of the key myeloma markers doctors and patients track in myeloma are light chain levels. What are light chains? An important part of our immune systems are our immunoglobulins - disease fighting immune cells. Each of these immunoglobulins have a light chain (like kappa or lambda) and a heavy chain (like IgG, IgA, IgM, [...]
Read MoreBy Bonnie Falbo As the wife of a myeloma patient, and as a new Myeloma Coach for the Myeloma Crowd, I was honored to attend the Inaugural Charlotte Plasma Cell Disorder Congress, hosted by Levine Cancer Institute on August 9-11, 2019. Intended primarily for local health care providers who treat myeloma patients, Myeloma Coaches and [...]
Read MoreLevels of remaining myeloma cells after therapy may be linked to your gut bacteria, according to researchers from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Significant research has been done in myeloma linking lower levels of disease after the first line of treatment with long-term outcomes. Newer, more sensitive testing is called Minimal Residual Disease testing [...]
Read MoreBy Maddie Hunter - What skills or beliefs do I have to bring to this current challenge I am experiencing? - What are my best options to consider? - How do I know the best decision to make? As a long-time leadership coach in many types of corporate and non-profit organizations, I discovered that these [...]
Read MoreCAR T therapy is an emerging treatment for multiple myeloma and over 70% of myeloma patients are on Medicare or Medicaid. CAR T treatments are usually a single-dose administration and are expected to be expensive. Last Friday, the the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will increase the amount institutions are reimbursed [...]
Read More
Wednesday, July 31 @ 7:00 am Pacific, 8:00 am Mountain, 9:00 am Central, 10 am Eastern Call In by Phone to Listen Live: (347) 637-2631 or Listen Live Via Computer. A new treatment called Selinexor by Karyopharm was recently approved for highly relapsed multiple myeloma patients. Learn how experts like Dr. Paul Richardson of the [...]
Read MoreBi-specific antibodies are new class of myeloma drug where an immune system T cell (targeting CD3) is joined with a target on myeloma cells (BCMA) to enable the T cell to kill the myeloma cells. Teneobio and Abbvie are teaming up to develop a new CD3/BCMA bi-specific antibody to kill myeloma cells with minimal cytokine [...]
Read MoreMolecular Templates and Takeda Oncology are teaming up to develop a new class of targeted biologic therapeutics for myeloma patients. The FDA has now accepted the application for TAK-169, an Engineered Toxin Body (EBT) targeting CD38. Together, they plan to conduce a Phase I trial for relapsed/refractory myeloma patients. According to Eric Pooma, PhD, CEO [...]
Read MoreUniversity of Würzburg myeloma researchers have identified that a tyrosine kinase inhibitor called dasatinib can act as an on/off switch for CAR T cells without affecting the T cells' viability. Significant CAR T cell therapy is in development for multiple myeloma in over a dozen clinical trials. The most common target in development for multiple [...]
Read MoreOnline Patient Platform Providing Treatment Options and a Path to a Myeloma Cure SALT LAKE CITY- July 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthTree®, the first and only online portal for multiple myeloma cancer patients to find their best treatment options and help accelerate a cure, today announced it has reached more than 4,200 patient users on its [...]
Read MoreIt's tricky having multiple myeloma. As I've been talking with other patients, we've not only shared the physical challenges it poses, but also the mental ones. Myeloma is a mind game. We have much to be grateful for in myeloma therapy because unlike 20 years ago, we now have a wide range of treatment options [...]
Read More
