High-Risk Smoldering Myeloma: Is It Time for Treatment? | Myeloma in a Minute (https://www.myeloma.org/videos/high-risk-smoldering-myeloma-it-time-treatment-myeloma-minute)
High-Risk Smoldering Myeloma: Is It Time for Treatment? | Myeloma in a Minute
Is it time to treat high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (HRSMM) instead of continuing to "watch and wait"?
In this quick explainer video, Dr. Joseph Mikhael discusses new research showing that early treatment with daratumumab may help delay progression to active multiple myeloma and improve survival for some patients.
Learn what high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma is, how doctors identify patients at the highest risk of developing active disease, and why recent clinical trial results are changing the conversation about when treatment should begin. Whether you've recently been diagnosed with smoldering myeloma or are supporting a loved one, this video will help you better understand whether early treatment may be an option and how to discuss it with your healthcare team.
Don't miss this video from myeloma expert Dr. Joseph Mikhael and be sure to submit your own questions using #AskTheIMF on Facebook, Instagram, or X. Learn more at myeloma.org. Like, comment, and subscribe for weekly updates on myeloma research, treatment, and patient support.
Have a question that needs more personalized support? Call us! We’re here for you. The IMF’s InfoLine is available to answer your myeloma-related questions and concerns. Call us at 1-818-487-7455, email us at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), or schedule your call at a time that works best for you at www.myeloma.org/infoline (https://www.myeloma.org/infoline).
Dr. Joseph Mikhael:
You have been told, wait and watch for smoldering myeloma, but if you have high risk smoldering myeloma, that may no longer be the case. Hi, everyone, Dr. Joseph Mikhael here from the International Myeloma Foundation, and I'm going to describe what is new in high risk smoldering multiple myeloma in less than a minute.
Smoldering multiple myeloma is a form of myeloma that has not yet become active. That's why we call it smoldering myeloma. And historically, we haven't treated smoldering myeloma. We just wait and watch to see if it's going to develop into active myeloma. But now, we've developed careful scoring systems to assess who's at the highest risk of developing active multiple myeloma, and more importantly, recently, a large clinical trial demonstrated that if we take those patients with high risk smoldering myeloma and just treat them with single agent daratumumab over the span of three years, that is going to delay them from becoming active myeloma and actually can even prolong their survival.
So if you have high risk smoldering myeloma, talk to your doctor about the potential for a new treatment. For more information about multiple myeloma, or if you have personal questions, please reach out to us at myeloma.org.
Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO
International Myeloma Foundation Medical Advisor
TGen, City of Hope Cancer Center—Phoenix, AZ, USA
Dr Mikhael is a Professor in the Clinical Genomics and Therapeutics Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope Cancer Center. He is also the Director of Myeloma research at the HonorHealth Research Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr Mikhael specializes clinically in plasma cell disorders, namely multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. He is the PI of many clinical trials, primarily in relapsed multiple myeloma, and his other clinical research interests include pharmaco-economics, communication skills, and media relations.
Dr. Mikhael recently served as the Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) from 2018 to 2026 – he now serves as Medical Advisor to the IMF to provide guidance and strategic input in areas such as patient education, health disparities, collaboration with partners, international research, and publications.
Dr Mikhael has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles in these fields and lectures internationally on a regular basis. Dr. Mikhael is deeply committed to health disparities in myeloma and is the chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council at TGen. Dr. Mikhael is heavily involved in training future researchers and mentors junior faculty worldwide. Dr. Mikhael is an active member of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and recently led the ASCO guidelines in myeloma. Dr. Mikhael also serves as the Treasurer on the executive of the American Society of Hematology.
Dr. Mikhael did his medical training in Canada, including a fellowship in Multiple Myeloma at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. He also obtained his master’s degree in education from the University of Toronto. He then worked at the Mayo Clinic Arizona as a Hematologist from 2008-2018.
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