The 15th Annual IMWG Summit: Charting a New Way Forward

In this week’s blog, IMF Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Brian G.M. Durie reports the highlights of the recently concluded 15th Annual International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Summit in Madrid, Spain. According to Dr. Durie, the agenda for this year’s IMWG Summit set the stage for the emergence of new platforms—paving a way to plan forward, improve outcomes, and achieve a cure. He discusses updates from the iStopMM Project, with a key goal of determining whether MGUS screening should be broadly recommended. Dr. Durie also talks about new and better criteria for high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (HR SMM); making novel therapies more accessible for myeloma patients globally; immune therapies; and how real-world experiences can guide decision-making. He describes the considerable interest in the recent ODAC unanimous vote in favor of MRD as an early endpoint in clinical trials and concludes his blog with highlights from the 2024 IMWG Summit Awards Ceremony and reports made by the IMWG Working Committees. These innovative approaches are allowing us to chart our way forward into an era of highly effective therapies and realistic expectations of cure for subsets of patients. Dr. Durie looks forward to next year’s IMWG Summit in Milan, Italy.

“I Have Insurance, Why Can't I Afford My Oral Anticancer Medications?" International Myeloma Foundation Highlights the Urgent Need for Cancer Drug Parity Act at Congressional Briefing

On June 14, 2024, the International Myeloma Foundation-led Coalition to Improve Access to Cancer Care (CIACC) hosted a successful Congressional Briefing addressing the critical issue of insurance coverage for oral anticancer medications. The event, titled "I Have Insurance, Why Can't I Afford My Oral Anticancer Medications?," drew a diverse audience of policymakers, and patient advocates. Patient advocates Michael Riotto, Tony Newberne, Dr. Morgan Kelly, and Dr. Kevin Chen spoke at the event. Their contribution was felt by all in attendance. For example, Michael Riotto made the compelling statement, “Imagine making the choice between paying your mortgage and paying for your meds.” Read the full press release to learn more about this pressing issue.

Sign Up for the Patient and Family Seminar in Minneapolis from July 19-July 20

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is excited to announce that the 2024 Minneapolis Patient and Family Seminar will take place at the JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America (2141 Lindau Lane) in Bloomington, MN, from July 19-20, 2024. The Keynote Speaker is Morie Gertz, MD (Mayo Clinic—Rochester, MN), who will present on “What is the Future of Myeloma?” IMF President & CEO, and 28-year myeloma patient Yelak Biru will give a special address. 

IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD, M.Ed., FRCPC, FACP (TGen, City of Hope — Phoenix, AZ) will discuss hot topics in myeloma, clinical trials, Myeloma 101, and understanding your lab results. IMF InfoLine Advisor Teresa Miceli RN, BSN, OCN, will take part in the Myeloma 101 and understanding your lab results discussions, and will cover shared decision-making. 

Kansas City Area Myeloma Support Group Leader Wendy Thomas RN, MSN, CHPN (Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion — University of Kansas Health System) will talk about Advanced Care Planning. Jeffrey Zonder, MD (Karmanos Cancer Institute — Detroit, MI) will discuss frontline therapy. Jonathan Kaufman, MD (Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University — Atlanta, GA) will talk about relapse therapies. Also presenting will be Rahma Warsame, MD (Mayo Clinic — Rochester, MN). 

There will be a special breakout session for care partners, and IMF Support Group Leader Michael Tuohy will talk about patient lessons learned. 

While the Seminar is FREE, in-person seating is LIMITED. Don’t miss your chance to take part and register today! 

Give to the Cyclists Who Will Tackle 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. Visit the Donate button below to give to an individual cyclist on the ride. By giving to a cyclist, you will support the thrill of adventure while being an agent for change.

Apply for a 2025 Brian D. Novis Research Grant by August 26, 2024

The International Myeloma Foundation funds the Brian D. Novis Research Grants which are provided through private donations. The IMF awards these grants to researchers working in the field of multiple myeloma and related disorders including smoldering myeloma, MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance), and immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis. This year's awards will be $50,000 each for the junior grant and $80,000 for the senior grant. Applicants must complete and return the application package to the IMF no later than August 26, 2024.

Take Part in This Year’s Patient and Family Seminar in Los Angeles from 8/16-8/17

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is excited to announce that the 2024 Patient and Family Seminar will take place on August 16-17, 2024, in Los Angeles, CA. The seminar is FREE, but in-person seating is LIMITED. The event’s keynote speaker Rafael Fonseca, MD, Hematologist, Director for Innovation and Transformational Relationships, and Professor of Medicine (Mayo Clinic —Phoenix, AZ) will present on “What is the Future of Myeloma?"

Other esteemed members of the myeloma community who will speak at this seminar include the following: IMF President & CEO, and 28-year myeloma patient Yelak Biru; Sagar Lonial, MD (Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University — Atlanta GA); Kansas City Area Myeloma Support Group Leader Wendy Thomas, RN, MSN, CHPN (Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion, University of Kansas Health System — Kansas City, MO); IMF InfoLine Advisor Teresa Miceli, RN, BSN, OCN (Mayo Clinic — Rochester, MN); Urvi Shah, MD (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — New York, NY); Angela Dispenzieri, MD (Mayo Clinic — Rochester, MN); Robert Vescio, MD (Cedars-Sinai — Los Angeles, CA); IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD, M.Ed., FRCPC, FACP (TGen, City of Hope — Phoenix, AZ); IMF Nurse Leadership Board member Tiffany Richards, MS, ANP, AOCN, (MD Anderson — Houston, TX); Triage Center’s Erin Bair, Esq.; IMF Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Danielle Doheny; and IMF Vice President of Philanthropy Sylvia Dsouza. You don’t want to miss this event that gathers top practitioners and educators in the field of myeloma under one roof!

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. Here is a recent study on CAR T-cell therapy from Blood Advances, and another study on "Unscheduled health care interactions in patients with multiple myeloma receiving T-cell redirection therapies."

At the end of every month, the IMF Newsroom has a wrap-up of some of the most fascinating studies about multiple myeloma from medical journals. Here is the May 2024 edition. As always, we invite you to visit the IMF Newsroom for the most recent myeloma news.

ASK DR. DURIE VIDEO SERIES

What does the FDA approval of MRD testing for myeloma mean for patients and drug development?