Myeloma expert Dr. Tanya Wildes of the Washington University School of Medicine spoke at the recent ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) conference in Chicago. Her topic was addressing a new definition of “high-risk” for older multiple myeloma patients. Traditionally, standard-risk and higher-risk are defined by a few factors, including the International Staging System (ISS),[...]

On July 18, the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research (based at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, along with the University of Washington and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance) presented new research on a preventative approach doctors can take by predicting blood clots for multiple myeloma patients. The doctors will be able to evaluate which[...]

Bi-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[...]

Molecular 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[...]

University 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[...]

Online 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[...]

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to Xpovio (selinexor) tablets in combination with the steroid dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is resistant to several other forms of treatment, including at least two[...]

Daratumumab is now FDA approved in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for newly diagnosed myeloma patients who are not eligible to receive a stem cell transplant. Daratumumab was approved in the fall of 2015 and has been a very effective addition to the myeloma drug arsenal for patients. It was formerly approved for use after[...]

The FDA has now lifted the partial hold on the Phase III CANOVA multiple myeloma trial using venetoclax with pomalidomide and dexamethasone. Venetoclax is a BCL-2 inhibitor that is being jointly developed between AbbVie and Roche. The hold was lifted after additional risk mitigation procedures and the implementation of new guidelines.  Certain myeloma venetoclax studies[...]

Carfilzomib is a next generation proteasome inhibitor that is being regularly used in the myeloma clinic. It is now being used frequently as part of induction therapy and is favored for patients with high risk myeloma. One side effect in approximately 4% of myeloma patients can include heart issues. A recent Japanese study published in[...]