Still Accepting Applications: The 2023 Brian D. Novis Research Grants 

The Brian D. Novis Research Grant was established in 1995 to honor IMF co-founder Brian D. Novis, who succumbed to multiple myeloma in July 1992. The grants are awarded to researchers working in the field of multiple myeloma and related disorders, including smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis. The grants will support senior research projects with $80,000 each and junior research projects with $50,000 each. Deadline for submission of applications is September 1, 2022.

Summary Report: The 2022 IMWG Annual Summit

The 2022 Annual Summit of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) was held from June 7–9 in Vienna, Austria where more than a hundred IMWG members participated in current discussions that are of greatest importance in myeloma research. This was the first in-person IMWG Summit in two years. Five plenary topics and four working group Committee reports were presented. The IMWG Summit’s presentations resulted in active engagement from the audience, with many helpful points discussed. To know more, read the summary report.

BMS and 2seventy bio Announce Topline Results from KarMMa-3 Trial: Abecma Significantly Improves Progression-Free Survival vs Standard Regimens in RRMM

On Wednesday, August 10, Bristol Myers Squibb and 2seventy bio, Inc. announced the positive topline results from KarMMa-3—a Phase 3, global, randomized, multicenter, open-label study evaluating ABECMA® (idecabtagene vicleucel) compared to standard combination regimens in adults with multiple myeloma that is relapsed and refractory after two to four prior lines of therapy and refractory to the last regimen. KarMMa-3 is the first randomized clinical trial to evaluate a CAR T-cell therapy in multiple myeloma. Results of a pre-specified interim analysis conducted through an independent review committee showed that KarMMa-3 met its primary endpoint of demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival. Treatment with Abecma also showed an improvement in the key secondary endpoint of overall response rate compared to standard regimens. Follow-up for overall survival, a key secondary endpoint, remains ongoing. Safety results in the trial were consistent with the well-established and predictable safety profile of Abecma previously demonstrated in the pivotal KarMMa trial. No new safety signals were reported in this study. To know more about the results, read the press release.

This Weekend: March for Myeloma 5K in Ritter Park—Huntington, WV

The March for Myeloma 5K Race will be held this Sunday, August 14 at 2:00 p.m. ET. On-site registration is at 8:00 a.m. ET. Pre-register entry fee is $25; $30 during the day of the race. For more information or to register, visit https://tristateracer.com/MarchForMyeloma5K.

Las Voces de Mieloma Support Group (Spanish-Virtual/Virtual en Español)

Las Voces de Mieloma Support Group (Spanish/Virtual), Monday, August 15, 10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. PST. Guest speaker: Dr. Ruben Niesvizky, Director of the Multiple Myeloma Center at Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He is also a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York and a physician at New-York Presbyterian Hospital. Join us by registering at https://lasvoces.support.myeloma.org/. For any questions, please email [email protected].  

Las Voces de Mieloma Grupo de Apoyo (Virtual en Español), Lunes, 15 de Agosto de 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. PST. Orador invitado: Dr. Ruben Niesvizky, Director del Centro de Mieloma Múltiple en Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital. También es profesor de medicina en Weill Cornell Medicine en Nueva York y médico en el Hospital Presbiteriano de Nueva York. Registrate en https://lasvoces.support.myeloma.org/. Si tiene alguna pregunta, envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected]  

IMF Patient & Family Webinar—Back to Basics: From Testing to Tailored Therapy on August 20

The IMF Patient & Family Webinar (PFW) – Back to Basics: From Testing to Tailored Therapy will be held on Saturday, August 20 at 10 a.m. PST/11 a.m. MST/12 p.m. CT/ 1 p.m. ET. IMF Chairman of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Brian G.M. Durie will moderate presentations from the following myeloma experts: Paul Richardson, MD (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute—Boston, MA); Saad Usmani, MD (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center—New York, NY); and IMF Nurse Leadership Board (NLB) Member Mary Steinbach, DNP, APRN (Huntsman Cancer Institute—Salt Lake City, UT). Topics to be discussed include Recommended Testing and Monitoring: 2022 Algorithms, Frontline Options, Managing Myeloma Care, and Relapse Options: FDA Approved/Clinical Trials. The webinar will conclude with a summary panel discussion, a webinar survey, and closing remarks. At the end of presentations, participants will have time to ask questions.

6th Nursing Symposium on August 25 at the 19th IMS Annual Meeting

The 6th Nursing Symposium will be held on Thursday, August 25 (live stream and in-person) during the 19th International Myeloma Society Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, CA. IMF Nurse Leadership Board (NLB) members will be presenting during the sessions: Tiffany Richards, PhD, ANP-BC, AOCNP® (MD Anderson Cancer Center—Houston, TX); Donna Catamero, ANP-BC, OCN, CCRC (The Mount Sinai Health System—New York, NY); Beth Faiman, PhD, RN, MSN, APRN-BC, AOCN®, FAAN (Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute—Cleveland, OH); Sandra Rome, RN, MN, AOCN, CNS (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center—Los Angeles, CA); Daniel Verina, DNP, ACNP-BC (Mount Sinai Medical Center—New York, NY); and NLB International Affiliate Tracy King, PhD, MN, RN (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital—New South Wales, Australia). Sessions include Challenges in Myeloma Patient Management, Oral Abstracts 1 & 2, and Myeloma Clinical Challenges. To know more, visit the 19th IMS Annual Meeting website.

#ASKDRDURIE | Dr. Durie's Weekly Web Video Series

What should care providers of myeloma patients know about CAR T-cell therapy?