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Diagnosis
It is important to recognize the early warning signs and diagnose myeloma as early as possible. Myeloma can be slow-moving or more aggressive.
A skilled myeloma specialist…
Audio
As Mary Ford explains, her story began on Sunday evening at the grocery store. She leaned into a refrigerated section at the store, sneezed, and felt intense pain in her back. A Registered Nurse, Mary was at work the next day and mentioned to her colleague that this sneeze had given her so much…
Audio
At 52 years old, Paula Nemet was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. During a routine check-up, her doctor suspected that she had myeloma. A week later, she started treatment. Paula found comfort in her local support group and created lifelong relationships. Her support group leader became a mentor to…
Audio
Diagnosed in 2006, Daniel Scott's oncologist at the time told him, "You have one-and-half to two years to live." As he says, "Here I am. It's 2019." Listen to his myeloma journey, from a rocky diagnosis to a successful transplant followed by relapse. Today, he takes part in the…
Audio
When Anne Mackey was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, she rallied a team of medical experts to guide her through her journey. She was resolved not to let her diagnosis become her whole life. The Jacksonville support group showed her that there is a world of people with a myeloma diagnosis, living…
News Article
On Wednesday, June 12, 2019, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bill to extend disability benefits to veterans who served on ships off the coast of Vietnam, known as Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans. This move signals the end of a decades-long fight for these former sailors and Marines to…
News Article
On June 12, 2019, the International Myeloma Foundation’s Advocacy department led a group of cancer advocates to Capitol Hill as a part of Coalition to Improve Access to Cancer Care (CIACC) efforts to increase support for the Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2019.
The advocates met with…
Videos
IMF Co-founders Receive a Joint Honorary Doctorate in Recognition of Scientific Excellence
Watch the ceremony at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Brussels
In a ceremony on April 2, 2019 dedicated to “the beauty, the power, and the wisdom of science,” International Myeloma Foundation…
Spreading Public Awareness at the Dr. Charles R. Drew Blood Drive and Health Fair in Compton, Calif.
News Article
On Saturday, June 8, 2019, at Compton’s 13th Annual Building Better Communities Through Better Health Fair, the International Myeloma Foundation was front and center doing what it does best: bringing education and awareness to communities who do not necessarily have access to it.…
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses how these factors—M-protein spike, the percentage of bone marrow plasma cells, and the serum free light ratio—help determine if SMM will advance to active myeloma.
BOTTOM LINE:
The BOTTOM LINE: Refer to the “…
Videos
Dr. Sagar Lonial on Belantamab Mafodotin
Dr. Sagar Lonial (Emory University, Winship Cancer Institute – Atlanta) discusses the BCMA antibody-drug conjugate previously known as GSK 916, now known as belantamab mafodotin.
TRANSCRIPT:
Belantamab is basically an…
Videos
Dr. S. Vincent Rajkumar on an International Study of the t(11;14) Abnormality in Multiple Myeloma Patients
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous disease with varying survival outcomes depending on the presence of certain genetic abnormalities. Common abnormalities include
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International Myeloma Foundation (the “Foundation”), will conduct its…
Videos
Dr. Paul Richardson on a Phase III Isatuximab Combination Trial
In this video, Dr. Paul Richardson (Jerome Lipper Mulitple Myeloma Center, Dana Farber Cancer Institute - Boston) describes this phase III trial. The study aimed to demonstrate progression-free survival improvement with…
Videos
Dr. Sagar Lonial on a the E3AO6 Trial
Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is a precursor to myeloma. Observation is its current standard of care. Data from a randomized Spanish trial (Mateos et al, NEJM 2015) suggests that lenalidomide/dexamethasone improves time to developing myeloma (…
Videos
Dr. Francesca Gay on the FORTE Trial
Video Transcript
My name is Francesca Guy and I work in the University Hospital in Torino, Italy. Here at ASCO 2019, I presented as the behalf of the investigators of the Torino group, the results of the FORTE study, which is a randomized study for newly…
Videos
Dr. Paul Richardson on the Phase 2b STORM Study
Triple-class refractory multiple myeloma (TCR-MM) is defined as being refractory to immunomodulatory agents, proteasome inhibitors, and anti-CD38 mAbs, representing an urgent unmet medical need with a median overall survival (OS) of 3-5 months(Pick…
Videos
Dr. María V. Mateos on the ARROW Trial
A.R.R.O.W. demonstrated superior progression-free survival (PFS) with once-weekly Kyprolis (K) (70 mg/m2)-dexamethasone (Kd70) vs twice-weekly K (27 mg/m2)-dexamethasone (Kd27) in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients, regardless of age.…
Videos
Dr. María V. Mateos on a Phase 1b Study of Daratumumab
In a phase 1b trial, a subcutaneous (SC - under the skin) formulation of DARA with recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20; ENHANZE drug delivery technology, Halozyme, Inc.) had adequate pharmacokinetic (PK), low rates of infusion-…
Videos
Dr. María V. Mateos on an Updated Risk Stratification Model for Smoldering Multiple Myeloma
The diagnostic criteria for multiple myeloma (MM) were revised in 2014, recategorizing ultra-high risk (i.e., 80% at two years) as active myeloma requiring therapy. The removal of patients at the highest…
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Learn more about current trends in myeloma treatment and…
News Article
The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will host the 10th Annual International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Summit from June 10–12 in Amsterdam. More than 100 of the world’s top myeloma experts will attend the 2019 Summit, which convenes on the…
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses how the MRD test can be used to predict long-term remission.
BOTTOM LINE:
Discuss with your doctor the sensitivity of the MRD test, and where you are in your course of treatment. Repeat tests to ensure there is…
News Article
Los Angeles, CA, May 23, 2019—The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will honor two outstanding multiple myeloma specialists whose work has significantly improved the lives of patients at a ceremony June 11 in Amsterdam.
The IMF, the first and largest organization…
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses the use of dexamethasone early in treatment and how to reduce the dosage while maintaining a good response.
BOTTOM LINE:
Pay close attention to the dose of dexamethasone and discuss the possibility of a slow and steady…
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses MGUS and the medical issues that can occur with the diagnosis.
BOTTOM LINE:
MGUS has a 1% per year risk of becoming myeloma. MGUS patients may develop other medical issues other than myeloma. Always discuss this…
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Need to stay informed about the news that impacts myeloma patients, but don’t have time to read everything out there? Then be sure to follow Dr. Brian G.M. Durie’s Week in Review blog. The leading myeloma expert and IMF Chief Scientific Officer drills down on a wide range of topics – from the…
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The 2018 Annual Summit of the IMF’s Global Myeloma Action Network (GMAN) convened on June 17–19 in Stockholm, Sweden. The event brought together 35 advocacy organizations representing 25 countries from Asia, Australia, Europe, and Latin and North America. The contributions of Dr. Brian G.M. Durie (…
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses the current use of CAR T-cell therapies for multiple myeloma, what is on the horizon, and some of the challenges to consider when implementing the therapy earlier in treatment.
BOTTOM LINE:
Yes, there is interest in…
News Article
New policies are being put into place by many health plans called “copayment accumulator programs” or “accumulator adjustment programs.” Prior to these new policies, when a patient used a copay assistance card or other manufacturer assistance, the payment or discount credited by that manufacturer…
Videos
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double click on the image above to view a replay of…
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses the main types of imaging studies for myeloma patients, including MRIs, whole-body low-dose CT scans, and PET/CT scans.
BOTTOM LINE:
All three types of imaging are useful. Discuss them carefully with your doctor to…
Audio
Diagnosed in 2005 with a plasmacytoma that was treated with radiation in 2006, Thomas Goode soon underwent a stem cell transplant. Two months after completion of an autologous stem cell transplant, Thomas’s brother matched as a candidate for Thomas’s allogenic stem cell transplant. Today, Thomas is…
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The IMF is once again proud to host a 10-day stay raffle at the Villa Ono Oasis in historic Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Thank you to Amy Klitsner for this generous donation to make this vacation possible.
On Sunday, August 1, 2021, IMF Senior Director of Member Events Suzanne Battaglia and…
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses FISH testing, classifications of test results, and genetics that may affect myeloma patients
BOTTOM LINE:
17p- is not a definitive prognostic factor. Other factors such as the number of chromosomes and percentage…
News Article
Brussels, Belgium--In a ceremony on April 2, 2019 dedicated to “the beauty, the power, and the wisdom of science,” International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) Co-founder and President, Susie Durie, and Chairman Brian G.M. Durie, MD were awarded a joint honorary doctorate…
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James P. Kaiser
James P. Kaiser, of Harrington Park, NJ passed away surrounded by his loving family on July 10, 2023, after a valiant battle with Multiple Myeloma. He leaves behind his heartbroken wife, Kimberly, their…
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To address the needs of those seeking support and more information in smaller communities, the IMF hosts frequent Regional Community Workshops. These one-day workshops offer families a condensed version of the full Patient & Family Seminar at no charge.
News Article
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We are thrilled to announce that on April 2, 2019, the…
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses gene-editing research taking place that could affect the future of myeloma treatment options.
BOTTOM LINE:
New lab research in the U.S. is studying the impact of gene editing. It will be very exciting and important in…
Event
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IMG Chairman of the Board Dr. Brian G.M. Durie focuses …
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses current treatments, including immune therapies, used to target and eliminate myeloma cells.
BOTTOM LINE:
Genetic mutations create “parameters” that anti-myeloma therapies can target.
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses various possible causes of kidney damage in myeloma patients.
BOTTOM LINE:
Once other diagnoses have been ruled out, MGUS may be determined to be the cause of kidney damage.
Videos
At the 2018 IMWG Summit in Stockholm, guest speaker Arun Wiita, MD, Phd, shared a vision of a futuristic approach to myeloma treatment in a talk entitled, “CRISPR in myeloma: more than just knockouts.” Dr. Wiita leads the Arun Wiita Lab at the University of California at San Francisco, which is…
Videos
At the 2018 International Myeloma Working Group Summit in Stockholm, IMF Board Member and 20-plus year myeloma survivor Yelak Biru shares his experience of doing a mock session on “So Do I Need a Transplant?”
During the re-enactment, Yelak played a 33-year-old myeloma patient and graduate…