The Importance of Diversity in Clinical Trials — The Signing of the Declaration of Maui

In this week's blog, IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael explains why clinical trials are crucial for advancing multiple myeloma treatments, yet there are significant disparities when it comes to accessing these trials for African American and Latino American patients. The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is addressing this issue through its M-Power program, which aims to enhance patient care and promote greater access to clinical trials for underrepresented groups. 

To address underrepresentation of African American and Latino American populations in clinical trials in myeloma, the DRIVE initiative has been introduced. The blog highlights "The Declaration of Maui," a commitment by myeloma and lymphoma doctors to follow DRIVE principles and increase diversity in clinical trials. The IMF supports this declaration and plans to develop further strategies to improve diversity in clinical trials. Read the full blog to learn more. 

FDA Approves Darzalex Faspro (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fish) in Combination with Velcade (bortezomib), Revlimid (lenalidomide), and Dexamethasone for Transplant-Eligible, NDMM Patients

In a July 30 press release, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its approval of "daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj (Darzalex Faspro, Janssen Research & Development, LLC) in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for induction and consolidation in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT)."

This approval was based on results of the PERSEUS trial (NCT03710603), "an open-label, randomized, active-controlled trial in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma eligible for ASCT." Visit the news article to learn more. 

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 A. 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!

Support the Fundraisers Who Have Committed to an Adventure of a Lifetime to Find a Cure for Myeloma. Can You Help Them Reach Their Goals?

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.

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. This article in Atalayar discusses that “CAR-T ARI0002h, developed at Hospital Clínic Barcelona-IDIBAPS, has been approved by the Committee for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products for Human Use of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) for approval as a non-industrially manufactured advanced therapy drug for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.”

ASH Clinical News reports that the FDA has granted “isatuximab priority review for the treatment of transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRd).”

Each month the IMF’s team of medical editors summarizes the most fascinating studies about myeloma. Here is the most recent edition: July 2024 – Myeloma News from the Journals. As always, we invite you to visit the IMF Newsroom for the latest myeloma news.