FDA ODAC Recommends Early Use of Cilta-cel and Ide-cel as Treatments for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

In this week’s blog, IMF Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses the details of the recent FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) meeting which took place on Friday, March 15. The ODAC panelists made a risk-benefit assessment of two CAR T therapies: Johnson & Johnson and Legend Biotech’s Carvykti (cilta-cel) and Bristol-Myers Squibb and 2seventy bio’s Abecma (ide-cel) based on data from the phase 3 CARTITUDE-4 and KarMMa-3 trials, respectively. Both treatments secured the majority vote: Carvykti (11-0) and Abecma (8-3), with ODAC supporting favorable risk-benefit and assessment and recommending their early use for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Dr. Durie highlights how the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) was at the forefront of the proceedings, with himself, IMF President & CEO and 28-year myeloma survivor Yelak Biru, IMF Board Members Jack Aiello and Sanjay Singh, and patient/advocate Carl Burgman among those who gave oral testimonials, while patient/advocate Linda Huguelet provided a written statement. He emphasizes the importance of having a voice in these ODAC meetings and believes that having these CAR T therapies available for earlier use is an important option for patients seeking to achieve excellent quality of life outcomes.

European Commission Approves Abecma, or idecabtagene vicleucel, for Earlier Lines of Therapy for Triple-Class Exposed Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma

In this March 20, 2024 press release from Bristol Myers Squibb, it was announced that "the European Commission (EC) has granted approval to Abecma® (idecabtagene vicleucel; ide-cel) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD), a proteasome inhibitor (PI), and an anti-CD38 antibody and have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy. Abecma is the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy approved in the European Union (EU) for use in earlier lines of therapy for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. This expanded approval of Abecma covers all EU member states.* In the EU, Abecma has maintained its Orphan Designation for the treatment of multiple myeloma." Read the full press release to learn more.

Register Now for the "Living Well with Myeloma" Webinar on Understanding Medicare Changes in 2024

The next “Living Well with Myeloma” webinar will take place on Wednesday, March 27, at 12:00 p.m. PST | 3:00 p.m. EST. As changes in Medicare Part D impact patient care and out-of-pocket costs, join the IMF and Triage Cancer for a discussion on navigating these shifts. To begin the webinar, IMF Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Danielle Doheny will talk about these new changes as well as the benefits of the redesigned prescription drug program.  

Gain insights into the altered landscape, understand the implications of these part D changes for myeloma patients, and receive practical guidance regarding what to expect financially in 2024 and beyond from Triage Cancer CEO and Cancer Rights Attorney Joanna Fawzy Doran, Esq.  

Join the March 28th Facebook Live Q&A with Dr. Urvi A. Shah

Gain insights about nutrition in this LIVE Q&A from myeloma specialist Dr. Urvi A. Shah (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — New York), who is spearheading research aimed at developing dietary guidelines for hematological malignancies such as multiple myeloma. You do not need a Facebook account to join this Q&A. Just visit the link at the button below on March 28, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. PST | 7:00 p.m. PST.

Register Now for the April 2024 IMF Patient & Family Seminar in San Francisco

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is excited to announce that the 2024 San Francisco Patient and Family Seminar will take place on April 12-13, 2024, in Foster City, CA. The seminar is FREE, but in-person seating is LIMITED.

Keynote speaker for this seminar is Thomas G. Martin, MD (UCSF, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer—San Francisco, CA). He will present on the topic of “What is the Future of Myeloma?”

Other seminar presenters include IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD (TGen, City of Hope — Scottsdale, AZ); Ajai Chari, MD (Mount Sinai — New York); Amrita Krishnan, MD, FACP (City of Hope — Orange County, CA); Caitlin Costello, MD (University of California — San Diego); IMF InfoLine Advisor Teresa Miceli, RN, BSN, OCN; Deborah Doss, RN, OCN (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — Boston); Wendy Thomas RN, MSN, CHPN; and Erin Bair, Esq., Staff Attorney, Triage Cancer. Topics will include a resource review of myeloma.org, Myeloma 101, understanding your labs, shared decision making, financial considerations in myeloma, clinical trials, symptom management, and advanced care planning. 

Register Now for the April 13th Regional Community Workshop in Atlanta

An in-person, IMF Regional Community Workshop will take place on April 13, 2024, at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center (2450 Galleria Parkway) in Atlanta. Dr. Jonathan Kaufman (Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University—Atlanta) will cover Myeloma 101, relapse therapies, and clinical trials. Dr. Nisha Joseph (Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University—Atlanta) will discuss frontline and maintenance therapies. IMF Nurse Leadership Board member Charise Gleason, MSN, NP-BC, AOCNP® will outline the most common side effects for each myeloma drug category, how to prevent infection, and more. Finally, there will be a special local patient and care partner panel.

Join Us for the 15th Annual IMF Gala

On Thursday, April 18, 2024, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will hold its 15th Annual Gala for the first time in New York City! Join us at the Edison Ballroom (240 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036) at 6:00 p.m. EST for this star-studded event. Hosted by Ray Romano, the Gala benefits the Peter Boyle Research Fund and celebrates groundbreaking myeloma research, education, support, and advocacy. These initiatives support research toward prevention and a cure for myeloma, as well as promote greater health equity and access to care for all.

Launched in 2007, shortly after beloved actor Peter Boyle lost his battle with myeloma, the IMF Annual Gala continues to raise funds and awareness for groundbreaking myeloma research projects.

Announcing the Inaugural Iceland Cycling Expedition! 

The Iceland Cycling Expedition (ICE) is a fundraising bike tour taking place in beautiful Iceland with a team of twelve cyclists. From August 29, 2024, to September 3, 2024, 12 intrepid individuals will embark on an adventure across Iceland to support the Black Swan Research Initiative, including the iStopMM Research Project in Iceland. While spots for participating in this year’s expedition are full, you can still seize this opportunity to be a part of something greater. Support the thrill of adventure while being a change agent. Donate to this initiative today! 

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. Read this article from the Blood Cancer Journal, “Progression free survival of myeloma patients who become IFE-negative correlates with the detection of residual monoclonal free light chain (FLC) by mass spectrometry.” As always, we invite you to visit the IMF Newsroom for the most recent myeloma news.

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

What are considerations for myeloma patients regarding immune therapy targets, side effects, and monitoring?