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2022 Future of Myeloma Care and Treatment Advances Newly diagnosed patients ask: What is myeloma? What can I expect? Is it treatable? How long will I live? As we struggle to emerge from the COVID -19 pandemic, albeit seeing very encouraging results with many new immune therapies, it is a good…
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On March 7,2022, Teva Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of the first generic version of REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) in the US,…
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Myeloma patient and support group leader
Sue Massey shares her story of being diagnosed with multiple myeloma at a young age and how she discovered her path to peace.
It’s been almost 10 years since I started my myeloma journey, and what a journey it has been! I have…
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On February 28, 2022, the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved CARVYKTI™ (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel) “for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) after four or…
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As Thanksgiving rolled into Christmas and then New Year and the omicron surge really took off in January, I began to realize that I have not had a vacation for over two years and that my travel agent was not yet ready to make bookings for 2022. The lack of vacation or even solid plans for one has…
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It has definitely been a struggle to get through 2020 and 2021. We all approach 2022 with mixed emotions, hopeful that this horrible pandemic will finally end but anxious about how we get there. The ongoing omicron variant surge really heightens the need for caution which we have been discussing,…
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As we adapt to a world in which we will be living with COVID-19 well into 2022 and beyond, it is important to develop a mental survival strategy. We must create a personal world in which we not only survive but prosper. The first step is to believe that this possible. And then build programs for…
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ASH 2021 Myeloma Highlights and Omicron Safety Update As we prepare for the 63rdAmerican Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, December 11-14, serious concerns have emerged this week about the new COVID-…
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*Updated November 19, 2021: The FDA has authorized the Pfizer and Moderna boosters for all adults.
As we move into the holiday season, a new definition of…
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iStopMM Iceland Study Advances Early Myeloma Detection November 4, 2021Today marked the release of hundreds of abstracts or summaries of research studies that will be presented at the 63rd American Society of…
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Updated October 22, 2021: The CDC on Thursday approved booster shots of the Moderna and J&J COVID-19 vaccines for those 65 years and over, aged 18 to 64 with…
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I recently had the privilege of speaking with Leo Dierckman, a patient from Carmel, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis, who has had high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma. Leo was brave enough to enter into…
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September 3, 2021
As we face a massive surge in COVID-19 infections caused by the Delta variant, it is crucial to have better treatments for those whose lives are challenged by COVID-19 infection. It is wonderful to learn that the amazing…
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Teclistamab Phase 1 Results in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma August 26, 2021Although the myeloma community has benefited substantially from regulatory approval of several new therapies, including Xpovio,…
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July 1, 2021
Current guidelines
The simple recommendations for myeloma patients remain the same:
Get vaccinated. The key is to be fully vaccinated (2 doses of the Pfizer or MODERNA vaccine if possible).
Wear a mask, especially indoors,…
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Key Takeaways from the 2021 IMWG Summit
The 2021 International Myeloma Working Group Summit, held virtually June 22-23, provided a rare opportunity for over 100 of the top myeloma experts from around the world to actively discuss topics of the greatest current importance in myeloma. The…
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June 17, 2021
As announced earlier this week, the IMF congratulates the recipients of the 2021 IMWG Awards, given annually by the International Myeloma Working Group (…
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The virtual 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting (American Society of Clinical Oncology) starts tomorrow, June 4, and runs through June 8. Although it is just not the same without in-person presentations, online discussions of the pending abstracts have been…
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May 27, 2021
With new, much more relaxed guidelines from the CDC, it is important to assess how myeloma patients can continue to stay safe. A number of cautions are still required as…
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Insights from the First Results of the iStopMM Screening Study
May 20, 2021
This week, the IMF is pleased to announce the publication of the first results of the iStopMM screening…
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May 6, 2021
During numerous virtual support group meetings, it has become obvious to me that newly diagnosed myeloma patients face many challenges during this pandemic. Firstly, the diagnosis may have been delayed because of reduced access for testing and follow-up. Then the…
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April 22, 2021
For myeloma patients, staying healthy is an extra challenge as they focus on achieving response to treatments and sustaining remissions. The added burden of COVID-19 uncertainties is at times overwhelming. In an effort to build resilience it is helpful to take a…
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Progress and Patience in the Quest for a Myeloma Cure
April 15, 2021
Achieving a cure for myeloma is what every patient wants, and it is the ultimate goal of all myeloma researchers. In 2012 the IMF established the Black Swan Research…
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April 8, 2021
ABECMA
As we have reported, it is really exciting that the first anti-BCMA CAR T cell-therapy for myeloma, Abecma, was approved by the U.S.…
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At this time of year, I am normally on vacation. Because of the pandemic I, like so many others, have not had a vacation for over a year. So, I decided to take a simulated vacation and create a more joyous environment filled with tranquility, music and articles/books not about COVID-19.
I…
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March 18, 2021
Despite the challenges COVID-19 presents around the world, myeloma researchers are carrying on. Two helpful myeloma publications appeared recently in the journal Blood.
The role of dexamethasone
Dr. Meletios Dimopoulos (University of Athens) and colleagues…
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March 11, 2021
The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) has published new guidelines for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory (resistant to treatment) myeloma…
Videos
Description:Learn practical strategies to recognize, monitor, and manage cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity (ICANS), and infection risk associated with bispecific antibody therapy in multiple myeloma, with an emphasis on patient safety and care coordination.…
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January 28, 2021
As we look forward to what we hope will be a much better year ahead, it is heartwarming to see that important research continues and can guide the way to scientifically based decision-making. A whole range of recent publications informs best practices for…
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It’s January 2021, another year is put to rest. I truly wish it was indeed restful, but we know it has been challenging. These times have been some of the most frightening, and we probably say that every year. Yet, here we are slogging our way through a pandemic and lockdowns to help us stay safe…
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January 14, 2021
Despite the enormous difficulties of 2020, myeloma patients can take comfort in the fact that the approach to myeloma care continues to evolve rapidly. Important trial data accumulate, and many promising immune and other therapies are emerging.
The key trends…
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Something that we all experience one time or another is we think we're doing okay, maybe even really, really okay, and then the other shoe drops. Sometimes I think of Charles Dickens. I was an English major in college, and yes, I had to read his work. It seems today that we're in a very similar…
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Top ASH 2020 Multiple Myeloma Trial Updates November 12, 2020It is that time of year again: the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition is rapidly approaching, in a virtual format…
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Finding Hope and Purpose in a Chaotic World
There is so much going on right now all around the world. Yes, COVID did a lot to push us all right over the cliff. Freefall was never my idea of a good time, yet here we are. Surprisingly, I think we’re doing fairly well despite the chaos we’re…
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October 29, 2020
As a lifelong scientist, I rely on and trust the results of gifted and honest researchers. I also strongly believe in the power of new research, information, and results. That is why I am grateful for the research funding generated by the recent and highly…
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October 22, 2020
For this year’s IMF 14th Annual Virtual Comedy Celebration (Friday, October 23, at 6 p.m. PT/ 9 p.m. ET), we are so blessed to have the cast from “Everybody Loves Raymond” recreate the classic sitcom with…
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October 15, 2020
We know that myeloma patients are especially vulnerable in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. But what has been largely overlooked is that older adults, who make up the largest percentage of myeloma patients, are psychologically highly resilient. (…
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We are definitely in very strange times. Who would ever imagine that so many challenging things would happen all at once? We’ve all been through some tough times going through life, but this pandemic seems to be taking a lot of the wind out of our sails.
It wasn’t that long ago that everything…
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August 27, 2020
The IMF hosted the 11th Annual International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Summit in virtual fashion on August 25-26. Although it was held online, the Summit continued the tradition of focusing on the latest…
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August 13, 2020
This past week, the IMF hosted a Global Roundtable of myeloma experts to develop International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) recommendations for the COVID-19 pandemic. Myeloma researchers from the Asia Pacific…
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August 6, 2020
The IMF will host the 11th Annual International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Summit August 25-26. Focused, as always, on the latest myeloma research from experts around the world, the IMWG Summit will be…
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July 16, 2020
Belantamab Approval
On Tuesday, July 14, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s ODAC (the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee…
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July 9, 2020
As we face another week of COVID-19 spiraling out of control in the U.S., the need to find answers is urgent. It turns out that some answers are available and words of wisdom emerge from studies of the past in the book…
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July 2, 2020
As we watch COVID-19 cases spiral out of control across the U.S., there is an emergency reality check: how do we stop this? How do we flatten this dangerous upward curve? Some political leaders in the most seriously affected regions have only now begun a reluctant…
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June 18, 2020The top story of the week is, undoubtedly, the new study from the U.K. showing that dexamethasone, the ever-present myeloma therapy, is effective in very sick patients…
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June 11, 2020
This week we are faced with two issues. Racism that has harmed Black people physically, economically and spiritually for generations has triggered massive protests in cities and towns around the world. The powerful voices of the people are demanding that…
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June 4, 2020
Today, the U.S. House Select Committee on the COVID-19 crisis, chaired by Representative James E. Clyburn, held a briefing to…
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May 28, 2020
Virtual ASCO
This weekend, researchers would have been descending on Chicago for the 56th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to learn the latest about myeloma research, along with…
Videos
CRS Explained: What Myeloma Patients Need to Know (CAR-T Side Effects in 60 Seconds)CRS, or cytokine release syndrome, is a common side effect of treatments like CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies in multiple myeloma. But what does it actually mean, and should patients be concerned?In…