Ambitious iStopMM Study Screens Iceland's Population For Myeloma Precursor MGUS

The goal of the study is to to identify and treat monoclonal gammopathy of undetermind significance (MGUS)  at its earliest stage, before it has a chance to develop into full-blown multiple myeloma.

As the IMF’s President and Co-Founder Susie Novis Durie states in this compelling video, “iStopMM and the Black Swan Research Initiative are just hand in glove; iStopMM is part of the Black Swan Research Initiative’s goal to find a cure for myeloma.” What does iStopMM stand for? I is for Iceland, the country. S is for Screens. T is for Treats. O is for or. And P is for prevents multiple myeloma. The principal investigator for this project Dr. Sigurdur Kristinsson, Professor of Blood Diseases at the University of Iceland, explains how adults over the age of 40 in the country of Iceland will be screened for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), the precursor to myeloma.

Once those participants in the study are identified as either having MGUS or smoldering multiple myeloma, they will be invited to join a randomized clinical trial to prevent the potential onset of mm, or treat the presence of the disease. As the IMF’s Chairman of the Board Dr. Brian Durie shares, testing at this early stage will allow oncologists to identify which patients may have progressive disease patterns and enable the medical community to “intervene early” to treat and potentially prevent the onset of active multiple myeloma.