Myeloma News: From Iceland to China

In this week’s blog, IMF Chairman of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Brian G.M. Durie highlights important news relevant to the myeloma community: an iStopMM (Iceland Screens Treats or Prevents Multiple Myeloma) study on the prevalence of smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) based on a nationwide screening of over 75,000 Icelandic individuals aged 40 and above reveals surprising but encouraging results; and CAR T product GC012F from China receives FDA clearance for its IND application. Dr. Durie points out that because of the iStopMM study, there is great optimism for the emergence of many new innovative approaches which will lead to enhanced outcomes for high-risk SMM patients. He is also hopeful and confident about the results of the study on GC012F and awaits further encouraging developments on this new CAR T approach from China.

Register Now for the February 15th Virtual Regional Community Workshop

The IMF will host a Virtual Regional Community Workshop for the Midwest region on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. CST / 6:30 p.m. EST. Rafat Abonour, MD (Indiana University – Indianapolis) will review multiple myeloma basics, its common symptoms and side effects, advances in how myeloma is initially diagnosed, stages of myeloma treatment, induction therapy, and transplant. Jonathan Kaufman, MD (Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University — Atlanta) will talk about types of relapsed disease, considerations by doctors when selecting treatment, options for relapsed/refractory myeloma, treating triple and penta-class refractory myeloma, and clinical trials. IMF Nurse Leadership Board member Daniel Verina, DNP, ACNP-BC (Mount Sinai Medical Center Hematology – New York) will discuss how patients can manage the side effects of myeloma and its treatments. After each presentation with the experts, attendees will have ample time to ask questions.

Now Available: The Winter 2023 Edition of Myeloma Today

The latest electronic edition of Myeloma Today is now interactive — with many helpful hyperlinks to a broad range of resources. In the Winter 2023 edition, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie (IMF Chairman & Chief Scientific Officer) discusses the key myeloma research takeaways from the 64th Annual Meeting & Exposition of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), Dr. Joseph Mikhael (IMF Chief Medical Officer) shares an overview of key research on myeloma disparities presented at ASH, and more. Myeloma Today is available to download for FREE.

Expert Myeloma Speakers Live and In-Person. Register NOW for FREE!

Back in person for the first time since 2019, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is excited to announce that the 2023 Boca Raton Patient and Family Seminar is taking place on March 17-18, 2023, in Boca Raton, Florida. Attendees will hear from the following experts: IMF President and CEO and 27-Year Myeloma Survivor Yelak Biru; IMF Chief Scientific Officer and Chairman of the Board Brian G.M. Durie, MD; IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael MD (TGen, City of Hope — Phoenix); IMF Nurse Leadership Board Member Beth Faiman, PhD, MSN, APN-BC, AOCN®, BMTCN®, FAAN, FAPO (Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute — Cleveland); James Hoffman, MD (University of Miami Health System — Miami, FL); Principal Investigator of the IMF iStopMM Trial Sigurður Kristinsson, MD, PhD (University of Iceland — Reykjavik, Iceland); Professor of Medicine and Chief of Plasma Cell Disorders Division Peter Voorhees, MD (Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute — Charlotte, NC); and Professor Nikhil Munshi, MD (Harvard Medical School and Associate Professor at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute —  Boston). You do not want to miss this unique opportunity to hear from some of the world’s top myeloma experts. In-person seating is FREE but limited; REGISTER TODAY before slots fill up!

15th Annual Miles for Myeloma Back In Person and Virtual

The Miles for Myeloma Hybrid 5K Run/Walk will be on April 29, 2023, in FDR Park in Philadelphia. Participants can take part in person or virtually. You can also make a difference with the purchase of a Tribute Path Plaque. Learn more about these tribute plaques as well as how to register.

Las Voces de Mieloma Support Group (Spanish-Virtual), February 21

Join Las Voces de Mieloma Support Group (Spanish/Virtual) Tuesday, February 21, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. PST. The guest speaker is Dr. Lucrecia Yáñez San Segundo.

Lucrecia Yáñez San Segundo, MD. PhD.
Associate Physician, Hematology Service Hematopoietic Transplant and Cell Therapy Coordinator (II) Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital - IDIVAL Associate Prof. Department of Medicine and Psychiatry. University of Cantabria, Spain

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/Español), 21 de Febrero

Voces de Mieloma Grupo de Apoyo  (Virtual/español), Martes, 21 de febrero, 10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. (Tiempo Pacífico). Expositor invitado: Dra. Lucrecia Yáñez San Segundo.

Lucrecia Yáñez San Segundo, MD. PhD 
Médico Adjunto, Servicio de Hematología
Coordinadora de Trasplante Hematopoyético y Terapia Celular (II)
Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla - IDIVAL
Prof. Asociada. Dpto. Medicina y Psiquiatría. Universidad de Cantabria, España

Únase a nosotros registrándose en: https://lasvoces.support.myeloma.org/. Para preguntas, envíe un correo electrónoco a: [email protected].

The Final Segment in a Series of Videos on Bispecific Antibodies

In this video, IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael explains how both monoclonal antibodies and bispecific antibodies are designed to specifically attach to a precise antigen on the surface of the myeloma cell. He lists the key antigens that bispecific therapies currently target (BCMA, GPRC5D, and FcRH5.) He closes the video with a look at Talquetemab and other bispecific therapies entering the market.