In the News: Inflation Reduction Act Brings Drug Savings for Medicare Enrollees; Positive Outcomes from the DREAMM-7 Trial

In this week’s blog, IMF Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Brian G.M. Durie focuses on two pieces of good news: the provisions and benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 to Medicare enrollees; and encouraging results from the recently released findings on the interim analysis of the DREAMM-7 phase III clinical trial. Dr. Durie brings awareness to the benefits that come with the signing of IRA for all Medicare enrollees, especially when it comes to financial relief and affordable drugs and treatments. He encourages those who are eligible to apply for the Extra Help program to avail of lower costs in premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and other expenses; and to approach the IMF for assistance. Additionally, Dr. Durie discusses key observations from the DREAMM-7 phase III trial and how these findings can change the course when it comes to standard of care (SOC) therapy in multiple myeloma. He is optimistic that more good news will be coming in for the myeloma community this year.

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) Welcomes Dr. S. Vincent Rajkumar as Chairperson of the Board

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) formally welcomed world-renowned myeloma clinician and researcher S. Vincent Rajkumar, MD as the foundation’s new Chairperson of the Board on Friday, February 2. Dr. Rajkumar is a Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic; a Member of the National Cancer Institute Myeloma Steering Committee; Chair of the Myeloma Committee, ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group; Editor-in-Chief of Blood Cancer Journal; and Associate Editor of Leukemia, and the European Journal of Haematology. Dr. Rajkumar also served as principal investigator of several clinical trials for the treatment of myeloma, including pivotal trials that led to the regulatory approval of thalidomide for the treatment of the disease in the U.S. He has published more than 480 peer-reviewed papers primarily in the field of multiple myeloma and related plasma cell disorders. 

Among Dr. Rajkumar’s accolades include the Jan Waldenstrom Lifetime Achievement Award (2021), the Mayo Clinic Distinguished Investigator Award (2018); and the Robert A. Kyle Lifetime Achievement Award (2016).  Read the full press release to learn more.

Trace Genomics CEO & Co-Founder Poornima Parameswaran Elected to the International Myeloma Foundation’s Board of Directors

The International Myeloma Foundation has recently announced the appointment of Dr. Poornima Parameswaran, the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Trace Genomics, to its board. Poornima is a three-year myeloma warrior. This appointment underscores IMF's ongoing commitment to bridge cutting-edge science and innovation with an entrepreneurial mindset and patient-centered advocacy in the fight against myeloma.

Dr. Parameswaran has had a distinguished career as a scientist and entrepreneur. Her journey has been characterized by resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to advancing science for a healthier planet. Over the course of her career, she has demonstrated her ability to lead dynamic teams through transformative change. Read the full press release to learn more.

Register Now for the IMF Patient and Family Seminar 2024 in Boca Raton, FL

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is excited to announce that the 2024 Boca Raton Patient and Family Seminar will take place on March 15-16, 2024, in Boca Raton, Florida. The seminar is FREE, but in-person seating is LIMITED.

Some of the presenters include IMF President and CEO Yelak Biru, Dr. Saad Usmani (Memorial Sloan Kettering — New York), Dr. Matthew Drake (Mayo Clinic — Rochester, MN), Dr. Gurbakhash Kaur (UT Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas), Dr. Peter Voorhees (Atrium Health, Levine Cancer Center — Charlotte, NC), and IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael (TGen, City of Hope Cancer Center – Scottsdale, AZ). Also presenting at the meeting will be IMF InfoLine Advisor Teresa Miceli, RN, BSN, OCN; IMF Vice President of Patient Support Robin Tuohy; Patient Advocate/Support Group Leader Michael Tuohy; Wendy Thomas, RN (University of Kansas Cancer Center — Kansas City, KS); and Amanda Goodstadt, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney at Triage Cancer.

Note: For those of you in Northern California, the IMF will be hosting a Patient and Family Seminar in San Francisco at the Crown Plaza Foster City – San Mateo on Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, 2024. Keep your eye on the IMF EVENTS page to learn more, or email [email protected] for more information. 

Register Now for the March 2nd Regional Community Workshop in San Diego

In SoCal? Register now for this in-person Regional Community Workshop at the Westin San Diego Bayview (400 W Broadway) in San Diego. The event’s speakers include IMF Vice President of Support Groups Robin Tuohy, Dr. Ah-Reum (Autumn) Jeong (University of California at San Diego — La Jolla, CA), Dr. Rahul Banerjee ((Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, WA), and IMF Nurse Leadership Board Member Sandra Rome, RN, MN, AOCN, CNS. These speakers will cover the topics of Myeloma 101, frontline therapy, treatment options for relapsed disease, and managing the side effects and complications of myeloma and its treatments.

Register Now for the March for Myeloma 5K Run/Walk

This isn't just a run; it's a force for change. During March, we're creating a global wave of awareness for myeloma. This Myeloma ACTION Month, march alongside others in the myeloma community and help us make waves of awareness that touch every corner of the globe. Join us in-person in Boca Raton, FL, or race virtually from wherever you are on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 7:00 a.m EST as we make this journey a pivotal part of Myeloma Action Month 2024.

Co-pay Assistance Programs: Now Accepting Applications

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) has a program to secure funding for patient co-pay assistance here. Also, the HealthWell Foundation has opened a fund to help with Medicare co-pays/premiums. The maximum award level is $12,000, covering various treatments. Check eligibility and apply now.

Visit the IMF Financial Assistance page to view a list of links to resources that may help you find additional financial support.

Around the Web: Myeloma News

To keep you abreast of the most recent myeloma research findings, “The Myeloma Minute” features links to top myeloma content around the web. In this article, researchers “review the biology and target validation of GPRC5D, and clinical data from early phase trials of GPRC5D-targeting bispecific antibodies, talquetamab and forimtamig, and chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies, MCARH109, OriCAR-017, and BMS-986393.” In this video from OncLive, IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael discusses “the importance of disparities research in multiple myeloma.” In this video presented by Magdalen Medical Publishing, IMWG member Dr. MarÍa V. Mateos discusses “the importance of treating patients with smoldering myeloma at high risk of progression to myeloma.” As always, we invite you to visit the IMF Newsroom for the most recent myeloma news. Make sure to view last month’s myeloma news wrap-up at January 2024 – Myeloma News from the Journals.