North Hollywood, CA, June 13, 2017 – The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) – improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure – will host the 8th Annual International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Summit June 19-21 in Madrid, Spain. Nearly 100 of the world’s top myeloma experts will attend the 2017 Summit, which convenes on the eve of the 22nd Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA).
Throughout the Summit, myeloma experts will debate how best to treat patients in 2017 and beyond. Working groups in Madrid will tackle significant questions surrounding multiple myeloma, an approach that regularly results in the publication of well-respected IMWG treatment guidelines used by physicians and cited by researchers hundreds of times annually.
“The Summit provides the opportunity for us to evaluate the latest developments in myeloma research and treatment, and come to a consensus on how best to incorporate these advances into recommendations for improving treatment for myeloma patients globally,” said Dr. Brian G.M. Durie, IMF Chairman and Co-founder, and IMWG Chairman.
Topics to be addressed in Madrid include how to contain the rising cost of myeloma therapy; the best treatment options for high-risk myeloma; the role of transplant in light of new research; and the latest thinking on MRD assessment. In addition, investigators from the IMF’s Black Swan Research Initiative® (BSRI) team will meet to determine the next steps forward in the IMF’s effort to find the pathway to cure myeloma.
Patients, caregivers and doctors around the world can view a live-stream broadcast from the Summit on Wednesday, June 21. The IMF’s popular IMWG Conference Series, "Making Sense of Treatment," will feature a panel of international myeloma experts—Drs. Brian Durie, Maria-Victoria Mateos, and Joseph Mikhael—who will distill, debate, and discuss news from the Summit during a 60-minute webcast. The live event starts at 3am PT/5am CT/6am ET. The live and archived webcast can be found myeloma.org.
Additional IMWG Summit highlights include:
The presentation of the IMF’s 15th Annual Robert A. Kyle Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Paul G. Richardson of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. The award honors an individual whose body of work has made significant contributions to myeloma research and patient care.
A meeting of the IMF Global Myeloma Action Network (GMAN), which brings together more than 30 myeloma patient groups from around the world to raise global awareness of myeloma, improve patient outcomes, and ensure access to life-saving treatments.
“The IMF is proud to lead this unprecedented collaborative event that brings together the world’s experts in myeloma to advance treatment and research that will lead to a cure,” said IMF President Susie Novis Durie.
Co-chairing the 2017 IMWG Summit are Dr. Brian Durie and Dr. Rajkumar. Session chairs are Drs. Mario Boccadoro and Jesús San Miguel.
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL MYELOMA FOUNDATION
Founded in 1990, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is the largest foundation focusing specifically on multiple myeloma. The Foundation’s reach extends to more than 400,000 members in 140 countries worldwide. The IMF is dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure by focusing on four key areas: research, education, support, and advocacy. The IMF has conducted more than 250 educational seminars worldwide, maintains a world-renowned InfoLine, and in 2001, established the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), a collaborative research initiative focused on improving myeloma treatment options for patients. In 2013, the IMF launched the Black Swan Research Initiative®, a groundbreaking research project aimed at curing myeloma. The IMF can be reached at (800) 452-CURE (2873). The global website is www.myeloma.org. Follow the IMF on Twitter @IMFmyeloma.
CONTACT:
Debra Gendel, (310) 710-1903, [email protected]
Sapna Kumar, (818) 487-7455, [email protected]