Myeloma Minute April 23, 2020

What Is Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells. It is synonymous with "myeloma" and "plasma cell myeloma." Plasma cells make antibodies against infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria. A cancerous or malignant plasma cell is called a myeloma cell. Myeloma is called “multiple” because there are frequently multiple patches or areas in bone marrow where it grows.

| INNOVATION | Latest Research

COVID-19 Update: Staying Healthy in the New Normal

In this week’s COVID-19 update, IMF Chairman Dr. Brian G.M. Durie shares the latest medical news from studies around the world, tailoring his guidance to people living with myeloma. Turns out that myeloma isn’t among the most serious risk factors; a malaria drug thought to be an effective treatment proves disappointing; and sequencing studies may shed light on the differing severities of the disease.

| INNOVATION | Op-Ed

IMF Chairman of the Board Dr. Brian G.M. Durie and IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael Write Op-Ed on Equality for Cancer Patients

Published in Capitol Weekly on April 22, 2020, IMF Chairman Dr. Brian G.M. Durie, and IMF Chief Medical Office Dr. Joseph Mikhael write a compelling op-ed about the immediate need for equality in cancer treatment. They call upon lawmakers “to take action to make sure as many cancer patients as possible have access when medically appropriate to home treatment options, in the form of anti-cancer pills to treat their disease. It is the right thing to do for those living with cancer and for the greater good of the health care system at large.”

| INSPIRATION | Virtual Race

Join Us for Opening Ceremonies on Saturday, April 25, 2020

Join us Saturday morning at 6 a.m. PT / 9 a.m. ET on Facebook for our Opening Ceremony for the Miles for Myeloma Virtual 5K. We will announce 1) the team that has collected the most donations, and 2) the team with highest number of virtual participants.

| INNOVATION | COVID-19 Research

| EDUCATION | Tip Card

COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Announced by Johnson & Johnson

IMF Publishes New Tip Card on Sarclisa (isatuximab-irfc)

In a landmark new partnership, Johnson & Johnson and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) will “commit more than $1 billion to novel coronavirus vaccine research and development.” The company “expects to initiate phase I human clinical studies of its lead vaccine candidate at the latest by September 2020.”

The Sarclisa® Tip Card is available now for download, free of charge. Sarclisa is a novel monoclonal antibody that is directed against the CD38 receptor on the surface of myeloma cells. Sarclisa both kills myeloma cells directly and recruits surrounding immune cells to enhance the killing process.

| EDUCATION | Webinar

Register Now for This IMF Patient & Family Webinar

Join the IMF Patient & Family Webinar on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. PT / 2:00 p.m. MT / 3:00 p.m. CT / 4:00 p.m. ET. This two-hour webinar features a panel discussion about the latest treatments for and management of myeloma led by IMF Chairman Dr. Brian G.M. Durie. Panelists include Dr. Joseph Mikhael of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Dr. William Bensinger of the Swedish Medical Center, and Joseph Tariman PhD, RN, from the School of Nursing/College of Science and Health at DePaul University.

| ACTION | Advocacy Alert

Cancer Groups Call on States to Protect Cancer Patients from Discrimination in COVID-19 Treatment Plans

A coalition of 19 cancer organizations today released a letter sent to all 50 governors and state health directors seeking assurance that any COVID-19 triage plans developed to prepare for the possibility of insufficient resources do not discriminate against cancer patients who are protected by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal statutes.

The letters sent under the umbrella organization All Cancers Congress, which advocates for the approximately 17 million Americans living with cancer, remind state leaders that cancer is considered a disability under the ADA. They cite the March 28, 2020 bulletin issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights which advises that any treatment decisions “should be based on an individualized assessment of the patient and his or her circumstances, based on the best available objective medical evidence.”

You can take action here:
Disability Discrimination in COVID-19 Response for Governors
Disability Discrimination in COVID-19 Response for Congress

Click the button for the full text of the letter.

| SUPPORT | Connect Virtually

IMF Encourages Support Groups to Use Our Secure Connection to Meet Virtually

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the IMF understands and responds to the need for myeloma support groups to meet virtually. We have a secure virtual meeting platform available at no cost to support groups to use for meetings. The IMF Support Group team will provide one-on-one instruction on how to set up and lead a virtual meeting. While we do our best to practice physical distancing to stay safe, it is important for us to remain social, to connect, and learn from each other. Please contact Robin Tuohy, Vice President of Support Groups, for details.