HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma

The year 2024 brings new promise in multiple myeloma with a wide variety of treatment options avaiable for both newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory patients. Learn about the progress being made and the very latest in determining risk at diagnosis, strategies for smoldering myeloma patients, optimal treatments for newly diagnosed patients, things to consider at first relapse and beyond. Dr. Robert Orlowski will review advances in CAR T therapies, bispecific antibodies, targeted therapies and combination approaches and clinical trials to watch as the research continues advancing at a rapid pace in myeloma.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, GSK.

CAR T therapy is a highly effective treatment for myeloma patients, even in highly relapsed multiple myeloma. In today's show we will hear from Luciano Costa, MD of the University of Burmingham who will do a deep dive into CAR T therapy in multiple myeloma to discuss how CAR T availability is improving, how CAR T is being tested in earlier lines of therapy, side effects to consider, new CAR T targets, combo CAR Ts, maintenance therapy post-CAR T, open CAR T clinical trials and various new forms CAR T variants like NK CAR Ts. Join us for this important show on one of the most impressive therapies ever developed in myeloma!  Thanks to our episode sponsor,  Menarini Silicon Biosystems

Dr. Paul Richardson of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute shares a mid-year myeloma review of ASCO, EHA and upcoming International Myeloma Society findings of the fast-moving research being performed in myeloma. Updates will include the expanding world of bispecific antibodies that include one FDA-approved drug and anticipated approvals for two new bispecific antibodies. He will also discuss exciting results from CAR T cinical trials,  CAR T newcomers, sequencing preferences, BCMA targeted therapies, new therapy targets in myeloma, MRD advances, blood-based testing, clinical trials end points and more.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Karyopharm.

Stem cell transplant remains a useful and widely used treatment for multiple myeloma. John DiPersio, MD, PhD of the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University joins HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma to discuss stem cell transplant in myeloma, a new and better way to collect stem cells as part of the process and the utility of stem cell transplant in the age of immunotherapies.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, GSK

The cure for multiple myeloma only happens with patient participation in research. In this episode, Faith Davies, MBBCh, MRCP, MD, FRCPath of the NYU Langone will share how research works in multiple myeloma, the various stages in clinical trials, the most critical steps that move curative therapies forward, how barriers to a cure can be removed and how patient participation is essential to the entire process.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, GSK

Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) testing is a more sensitive way to test for remaining disease following myeloma treatment. Its use could change the way experts treat multiple myeloma now and in the future. MRD testing may help determine which patients should stay on treament or which patients are able to stop if they stay MRD negative for a long period of time. It may help prevent over or under treating patients.  In this show Benjamin Derman, MD of the University of Chicago shares what MRD testing is, how it's being used in clinical trials as a new clinical trial end point, what the FDA wants to see in clinical trial data, how it could be used to determine if treatment can stop baesd on a patient's status, why it's needed and when it should be used. Patients can take advantage of the progress in testing to truly personalize and optimize their care.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Menarini Silicon Biosystems

A wave of blood-based tests are being researched for myeloma care, and for good reason. Patients love the idea of replacing the painful bone marrow biopsy with a blood-based test, especially if it is equally effective. In addition to being less time consuming and painful, blood-based testing could be performed more regularly to provide more information to patients and their doctors.  The types of test vary. They include mass spectometry testing, blood-based MRD testing and circulating tumor cell testing. Many of these tools are still only used in research, but they are getting closer to being used in the myeloma clinic. Each of the tests have unique ways of providing a less invasive way of testing for myeloma at diagnosis and after treatment.  Ola Landgren, MD, PhD of the University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center joins HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma to review the different types of tests, how they function, what they measure, pros and cons of each and how they are and could be used in regular myeloma practice. As we continue to see these tests advance, it's a great idea to start becoming more familiar with the test types, test names and reasons for their use. Thanks to our episode sponsor, GSK

Maintenance therapy over the past several years has commonly included the use of Revlimid (lenalidomide) over a long period of time. Is more better? Does more maintenance therapy or certain combinations help extend remissions or help patients deepen their responses?  Ashraf Badros, MD, of the University of Maryland will join the HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma to talk with us about the rationale behind the AURIGA clinical trial using daratumumab and lenalidomide following stem cell transplant for patients who are still MRD positive.  Myeloma experts are working to identify more personalized approaches for each type of myeloma patient. We know that patients who are still MRD positive following high dose therapy are more likely to have shorter remissions and the use of a different maintenance therapy may help patients who aren't getting their deepest responses do better over time.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

A new approach in myeloma immunotherapies is in the works called Engineered Toxic Bodies (ETBs). Early on, Molecular Templates partnered with Takeda Oncology to begin development on an ETB therapy for multiple myeloma targeting CD38. Currently, Molecular Templates is moving this therapy forward. ETBs work differently from monoclonal antibodies because they move deep inside the plasma cell instead of flagging the cell's surface. They also don't rely on the body's own immune system (like T cells or NK cells) to kill myeloma. Learn more about this emerging therapy from Dr. Shaji Kumar on this fascinating program.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

Join Dr. Dan Vogl and Dr. Yulia Nefedova to understand more about a new oral treatment for multiple myeloma called tasquinimod. This is a treatment that targets the tumor microenvironment by targeting myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). MDSCs are a variety of cells that expand during cancer, inflammation and infection, and can suppress T-cell responses. They can stop myeloma killing-immune cells and at the same time form new tumor blood vessels that help myeloma spread in the body. The researchers are hopeful that tasquinimod will promote anti-tumor immune activity .  The treament is being developed by a Swedish company called Active Biotech and tasquinimod is now being tested in combination with standard myeloma therapies like lenalidomide, ixazomib and dex.  New treatments like these could be used in patients who have relapsed after standard myeloma treatment like daratumumab and could help alter the microenvironment that is causing myeloma relapse. Thanks to our episode sponsor, Bristol Myers Squibb

Smoldering myeloma is a precursor condition for the blood cancer multiple myeloma. There is hot debate about when and how to treat this precursor condition. Do you treat it like regular myeloma? Do you try to prevent progression? And if so, with which therapies? Dr. Elisabet Manasanch of the MD Anderson Cancer Center provides an update on treatment in smoldering myeloma and smoldering myeloma clinical trial designs that seek to determine the very best approach.   Thanks to our episode sponsor, Bristol Myers Squibb

All cancer therapies come with some type of side effect. One newly approved therapy called BLENREP, by GSK, is an antibody drug conjugate targeting BCMA that can cause a condition called keratopathy. Keratopathy is an eye condition that can be mild, so patients don't even know they have it, or it can be more severe. Myeloma specialist Dr. Cristina Gasparetto, MD from Duke University and Mark Newman, OD of OPTIX Eye Center will share in this show how keratopathy can be successfully managed for patients on BLENREP. Learn what keratopathy is, how care is coordinated between the myeloma doctor and the eye doctor, and what patients should know about keratopathy before starting on this therapy.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

Myeloma experts are beginning to use antibodies in earlier lines of myeloma treatment, even for newly diagnosed patients. Learn what recent clinical trials are using antibody therapies such as daratumumab and isatuximab in early quad (four) drug combinations for newly diagnosed patients. Peter Voorhees of the Levine Cancer Institute joins Myeloma Crowd Radio to share his experience and findings from these clinical trials. He will discuss the early use and their use as maintenance therapy following stem cell transplant. Is earlier use better? Should they be "saved" for later? When should patients consider using the monoclonal antibodies as maintenance therapy with or without traditional drugs like lenalidomide? Dr. Voorhees will help answer these very practical questions for the myeloma community. Thanks to our episode sponsor, Karyopharm Therapeutics.

AL Amyloidosis is a secondary condition that can occur in patients with multiple myeloma and can cause protein buildup in organs like the heart, kidneys, liver and nerves. Join HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma by HealthTree to hear from Sascha Tuchman, MD of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as he shares amyloidosis symptoms, treatments and open clinical trials.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

CAR T therapy has been in development for over 20 years. The first CAR T therapy is now available for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The ide-cel treatment (now called Abecma) is now FDA approved for multiple myeloma relapsed or refractory patients. In this show, Dr. Noopur Raje of Mass General Hospital will share how the CAR T cell therapy works, outcome data from clinical trials, a review of patients who are eligible to join and when patients should consider the therapy in context of other therapies. Ide-cel (Abecma) is a product developed by Bristol Myers Squibb and blubird bio.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Oncopeptides

Dr. Robert Z. Orlowski joins HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma to share a study to share the new innovations myeloma patients can expect in 2021. He will review the recent findings from the American Society of Hematology meeting and share what we can expect from new combination therapies, best options for newly diagnosed myeloma patients, expected FDA approvals in 2021, CAR T advances, bispecific and trispecific antibodies, antibody drug conjugates, targeted inhibitors and new approaches for MGUS and smoldering myeloma. We invite you to join us for this well loved annual show.  Dr. Orlowski is Chairman, Ad Interim, Director of Myeloma, and Professor of Medicine in the Departments of Lymphoma/Myeloma and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Orlowski serves as Chair of the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and is a member of the NCI Steering Committee, the Multiple Myeloma Tissue Bank Steering Committee, the Computerized Provider Order Entry Steering Committee, BMT Committee, and American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Dr. Orlowski is on the Editorial Board of Hematology and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Orlowski has received many awards over a number of years including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Scholar in Clinical Research, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man of the Year Award, Emil Frei III Award for Excellence in Translational Research from MD Anderson and is the recipient of an ongoing SPORE grant from the NIH. Find news and information from his daily newspaper, Myeloma Daily or find him on Twitter at @myeloma_doc. Thanks to our episode sponsor, Karyopharm Therapeutics

Dr. Irene Ghobrial joins HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma to share a study to identify discoveries that could potentially inform COVID-19 treatment decisions and prevention policies in the IMPACT study. Myeloma patients are known to be immunocompromised and may be at higher risk for poor outcomes.  IMPACT is a study to identify the prevalence and unique characteristics of COVID-19 in individuals with precursor conditions to hematologic malignancies and in healthy populations. It is enrolling individuals nationwide who are enrolled in the PCROWD and PROMISE studies. All participants enrolled in IMPACT are screened using a blood test for active SARS-CoV-2 and/or antibodies. Participants are then followed and undergo additional blood collection and testing over a one-year period. The overall goal of IMPACT is to understand the short- and long-term impact of COVID-19 on the immune system of healthy individuals and individuals with underlying immune dysregulation. Thanks to our episode sponsor, Bristol Myers Squibb

The coronavirus continues to be a global concern for all citizens and especially for cancer patients. Where are we at now with our learning over the last seven months? Dr. Joshua Richter re-joins HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma for an update on how myeloma patients are and should be navigating during the coronavirus pandemic.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

Venetoclax (Venclexta) is being studied in myeloma clinical trials and particular benefit has been seen in 11;14 myeloma patients. It is the first time a true precision medicine drug has been identified in myeloma. Which clinical trial combinations are using venetoclax, which are proving to be the most effective and is it getting closer to approval? Learn about the experiences of its use in 11;14 multiple myeloma patients and clinical trial results outside of this specific patient group. The innovation happening in myeloma is astounding and this is the first time that a personalized therapy has been identified to be effective for myeloma patients with a particular genetic feature.  Jonathan Kaufman, MD of Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute has been involved in early and later trials for venetoclax in multiple myeloma. Dr. Kaufman is Associate Professor, and serves as Associate Vice-Chair, and as Director of the Division of Hematology in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine. Board certified in hematology and medical oncology, Dr. Kaufman's practice includes treating multiple myeloma and amyloidosis patients at Emory University Hospital. As a network physician, he started practicing with Emory Healthcare in 2005. He is also an active clinical and translational researcher in the fields of multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and bone marrow transplant. Dr. Kaufman is a member of the Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics Research Program at Winship Cancer Institute. He also holds memberships with American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Society of Hematology. Thanks to our episode sponsor, Karyopharm Therapeutics

Dr. Ali is the primary investigator on a clinical trial to use a vaccine to extend remissions following successful myeloma treatment. The GVAX study is open for patients who are MRD positive but don't yet have a measurable m-protein. Dr. Ali explains how the vaccine works and why patients may want to use it to lengthen theri remission times.   Thanks to our episode sponsor, Bristol Myers Squibb.

Since HealthTree for Multiple Myeloma started our advocacy work in myeloma, the most common question we get is “What supplements, diet or other alternative treatments will help my myeloma?” Whether it's yoga, supplements, massage therapy, Tai Chi, music therapy, IV vitamins or guidance therapy, Dr. Krisstina Gowin and Dr. Onytemaechi Okolo of the University of Arizona will discuss how integrative and alternative therapies can be used in myeloma care. They are also performing a study inside of HealthTree to learn what integrative therapies myeloma patients are using in addition to traditional myeloma therapy.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Karyopharm       Whether you are using yoga, exercise, acupuncture, art therapy, vitamin D supplements, curcumin or other alternative treatments, Dr. Krisstina Gowin of the University of Arizona and the Mayo Clinic is performing research to better understand how widespread the use is for myeloma patients of these alternative therapies and how well they help patients.

Myeloma specialists and myeloma patients alike want to know which treatment will work best before they are taken. Dr. Keith Stewart and colleagues from the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale have developed a new test using a "direct-to-drug" screening that helps determine how certain myeloma cells (with specific biomarkers and pretreatment histories) will react to different myeloma therapies. The new test is flexible enough to accommodate new drugs as they become FDA approved and is a way to avoid using drugs that won't provide much impact. This flexibility is required with the rapidly changing environment in myeloma.  Personalized care in myeloma is especially tricky because of the differences in each myeloma patients' cells. A single patient can have an average of 5 different "types" of myeloma at diagnosis and those types can evolve over time. This is called heterogeneity. Add to that the large number of potential treatment combinations, and it becomes an art and a science to treat myeloma patients. This new test will help provide much needed guidance. Learn more about this fascinating topic with Dr. Stewart.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, GlaxoSmithKline

Isatuxiab (Sarclisa) by Sanofi Genzyme is a new CD38-targeting monoclonal antibody that is now FDA approved to be combined with pomalidomide and dexamethasone. In the same drug class as daratumumab, isatuximab is different in its mechanism and is now being used in additional clinical trials in combinations such as isatuximab/carfilzomib/dex and isatuximab/bortezomib/dex. The growing number of potential therapies is a big win for myeloma patients. Learn from myeloma specialist Thomas Martin, MD of the University of California at San Francisco about how the drug works, how it is being applied in the myeloma clinic and open clinical trials using it in new combinations. Dr. Martin will also cover the recent clinical trial results presented at the recent ASCO 2020 meeting.    Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

Myeloma progress continues to occur, in spite of the coronavirus and myeloma patients need to stay up-to-date on advancements in order to receive excellent myeloma care. The myeloma arsenal of treatments is growing, with several new treatments approved in the last few months and more to be approved in 2020. Dr. Paul Richardson of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute provides the myeloma patient community with a great synopsis of all relevant announcements shared at the virtual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting held May 29-31, 2020. Learn what's coming shortly in immunotherapies, precision medicine, targeted therapies, combination therapies and much more in this important show.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, GlaxoSmithKlein

Antibody testing for COVID-19 is rapidly evolving on a daily basis. Dr. Stephen Russell is developing a new blood-based antibody test to identify neutralizing antibodies that can determine a person's immune defense against SARS-CoV-2.  The project is a collaboration between Dr. Russell's company Vyriad and the pharma company Regeneron, and wants to make the tests commercially available through major labs soon. Dr. Russell notes that there are many different antibodies, some of which can neutralize the virus. And that those antibodies are the important ones that can tell if a patient will be protected against reinfection or not. He started looking into ways he could respond to the virus in February and a clinical trial quickly opened to study the test. Learn more about antibody testing in general and this test in particular on this fascinating show.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Genentech.

To date, a select number of myeloma patients have become COVID-19 positive. What have they experienced and how have they fared? Dr. Ola Landgren of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is living in New York City, a major hot spot in the United States for COVID-19. He joins us on HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma to share his expderiences in treating COVID-19 positive patients and his suggestions for myeloma patients who have not been infected with COVID-19. Join us for this relevant and important program during this critical time for myeloma patients.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology.

Join us as we talk with Dr. Sarah Holstein, MD, PhD of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute about her work to outsmart myeloma resistance and her work to target the bone marrow microenvironment via a variety of pathways.

Join us as we talk with Dr. Jay Bradner, MD of the Bradner Lab, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Bradner focuses his research on the use of chemical biology to target gene regulatory pathways. Specifically, Dr. Bradner is working to develop a MYC inhibitor for myeloma. MYC is the most common translocation to be found in multiple myeloma and increases in prevalance as the disease progresses, so finding a target for this translocations is critical.

Do all multiple myeloma patients need continuous maintenance therapy? Join us as we talk with Dr. Antonio Palumbo, MD on HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma about the recent data to suggest that this may be the case.

Join us as we talk with Dr. Saad Usmani, MD about his new position as Director of Clinical Research for Hematologic Malignancies and Director of Plasma Cell Disorders at the Levine Cancer Institute and his clinical trials for high-risk myeloma patients. Dr. Usmani was formerly at UAMS.

Hear from Dr. Brendan Weiss, MD from the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania about the indicators and factors that can MGUS progression to myeloma and a host of immunotherapy approaches that are up-and-coming both in the lab and clinic. He will also share his work on the bone marrow environment, how obesity impacts transplant, and how MGUS in racial groups.

Join us as we talk in detail about the recent announcement by the Mayo Clinic on Dr. Stephen Russell, MD, PhD's success in using the measles vaccine to halt myeloma growth. This major announcement was made earlier this week and patients want to know more. Dr. Russell will describe the long road to use vaccines to treat cancer, how that work was connected to myeloma, how it works in myeloma, and what comes next.

Join us as we talk with Dr. Damian Green about radiation, radioimmunotherapy and how progress is being made for high-risk patients in myeloma treatment today.

Join us as we talk with Dr. ParameswaranHari, MD, MRCP, MS, about transplants, his latest myeloma research and open clinical trials. Dr. Hari is the Armand Quick-William Stapp Professor of Hematology, Section Head of Hematological Malignancies and the Director of the Adult Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Join us as we talk with Dr. Noopur Raje, MD of Massachusetts General Hospital about the research she performs in the Raje Lab to study how the bone marrow environment affects myeloma growth.

Join us as we talk with Dr. Jatin Shah about his many open mutliple myeloma clinical trials at MD Anderson. With a wave of new approaches just presented at ASH, Dr. Shah discusses the wide variety of clinical trial offerings for myeloma patients (from newly diagnosed to relapsed or refractory) that include the use of monoclonal antibodies and other cell signaling inhibitors that are now being tested in the mix with existing therapies.

What do your lab results mean and how can you learn more about your specific type of multiple myeloma? Dr. Michael J. Misialek, MD tells us that we have a pathologist that is ready and waiting to help you understand your disease.

Join us as we speak with Dr. Gareth Morgan from the Institute of Cancer Research as we discuss how we can get to personalized medicine in multiple myeloma.

Join us to discuss with Dr. Rodger Tiedemann of the Ontario Cancer Institute and the Princess Margaret Hospitel his latest discovery about why myeloma keeps returning even after stem cell and combination therapy.

Listen to cytogenetics and genomics expert Dr. Rafael Fonseca, MD of the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale share the latest in his myeloma research and his open clinical trials.

Hear myeloma expert Dr. Frits van Rhee, MD, PhD from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences discuss the latest research in Total Therapy and open clinical trials at UAMS.

Listen to Dr. Shaji Kumar, MD of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester as he describes how all myeloma was once MGUS, how new inhibitors (like CDK and HDAC) work, and his study of how cytogenetics impacts disease progression.

Listen to our next show with Dr. Sergio Giralt of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to hear about his deep expertise in transplantation and his latest trials including the use of a vaccine in combination with transplant and a gene-targeted approach using cabozantinib.

Listen to Dr. Craig Crews of the Crews Laboratory at Yale University describe how a drug begins as an idea and becomes a real myeloma therapy used in the clinic. He shares his story of the discovery and development of the drug carfilzomib (Kyprolis).

This week on HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma we welcome Dr. James Berenson of the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research (IMBCR) to discuss the latest in his research and his open clinical trials.

This week on HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma, we welcome Dr. William Bensinger of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to discuss his research and many trials including a Kyprolis trial. With the recent announcement of Amgen's purchase of Onyx, we will be asking how we can continue to fast-track drug development for multiple myeloma.

This week on HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma we welcome Dr. Don Benson of The James Comprehensive Cancer Center at Ohio State University back to discuss his research in nk cells, immunotherapy, and an upcoming PD-1 trial.

This week on HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma, listen to Dr. Robert A. Kyle, a pioneer in myeloma research, as he gives us perspective on the history of "Innovation in Myeloma" and his lengthy research as the first to identify MGUS and smoldering myeloma.

This week on HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma, listen to Dr. Landgren as we discuss his research in new therapies for myeloma in its precursor states (MGUS and smoldering), molecular profiling of myeloma and why it is important in predicting progression, and his related research with myeloma and the immune system.

This week on HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma, listen to the first in a two-part series with Dr. Benson as he gives us a primer in clinical trials. Because only 5% of myeloma patients participate in clinical trials, we want you to know all about them so you can understand why you would want to enroll, how they are staged, who funds them and what you can expect in outcomes.

This week on HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma listen to Dr. Guido Tricot discuss his latest research and open clinical trials.

This week on HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma, listen to myeloma pioneer Dr. Robert Z. Orlowski discuss his latest research and open clinical trials in our first patient internet radio interview.

Dr. Noa Biran of Hackensack University joins HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma to discuss a completely new approach targeting CD38, which is found on most myeloma cells. The drug called modafakusp alpha (formerly known as TAK-573) uses a new method of targeting CD38 by combining a monoclonal antibody with interferon. Early trial results are showing that this treatment option could also work for patients who relapsed after anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies like daratumumab and isatuximab.  Inteferon is a human hormone that has been previously used in myeloma care because it can both kill the myeloma cells directly and engage the immune system to fight the myeloma, but it had many intolerable side effects. In this new form combined with modafakusp alpha, the side effects are significantly reduced. This new drug is now in clinical trials being tested with common myeloma therapies like dexamethasone, daratumumab, proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulators. Learn about this new treatment option in this informative show.  Having new treatment options, especially after patients have relapsed after the three most common drug classes (proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies) is a blessing for relapsed or refractory patients.

There are significant advances being made in multiple myeloma and more so than in any other cancer. Join us for this annual show with Robert Orlowski, MD, PhD as we discuss the recent findings from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting, key innovations being developed in myeloma and what patients can expect to see in 2023. The show will review immunotherapy options, optimal combination therapies, targeted treatments and key learnings from top myeloma investigators.   Thanks to our episode sponsor, GSK

Teclistamab is the first bispecific antibody to be FDA approved in mulitple myeloma. On this HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma episode, learn from Alfred Garfall, MD of the University of Pennsylvania about how it will be used in the clinic as an approved therapy. Our discussion will include who qualifies for this new treatments, when patients should consider using it, if it can be combined with other myeloma therapies, if the therapy is continuous or can be stopped, common side effects to expect, how it is administered (in and outpatient) and how the caregiver needs to be involved.

Over 40% of multiple myeloma patients deal with kidney disease during their multiple myeloma journey. Learn more from Natalie Callander, MD of the University of Wisconsin at Madison about how myeloma affects the kidneys, what else causes kidney damage, signs and symptoms to watch for, tips to protect the kidneys, how to resolve kidney concerns, how dialysis plays a part in care and when a patient may need a kidney transplant. Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

Myeloma advancements are happening quickly. Learn more from Paul Richardson, MD of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute about the latest findings from two key summer conferences.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Glaxo Smith Kline

CAR T therapies are expanding as multiple myeloma treatment options. In addition to the two currently FDA approved CAR T therapies (Abecma and Carvykti) which use a patient's own T cells in a production process, new allo (off-the-shelf) options are being developed in clinical trials. Dr. Jesus Berdeja is one of the leading CAR T experts in multiple myeloma and in this episode, he will share the current development taking place for allo CAR T therapies. Join us to learn more about this exciting field in myeloma research which may provide faster and more availalble treatment options for patients.  Note: Myeloma Crowd Radio is becoming HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is causing concern and disruption for normally healthy global citizens, but there are additional issues for multiple myeloma patients who are frequent visitors to hospitals and are often immunocompromised. Learn from myeloma expert Joshua Richter, MD of Mount Sinai about current recommendations for multiple myeloma patients regarding treatments, doctor visits, blood draws, stem cell transplant and other infusions in light of this unique global situation. Learn more about what myeloma patients can do to protect themselves during this important time,  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Bristol Myers-Squibb

Infection is a leading cause of death for multiple myeloma patients and protection against infection is key, especially during stem cell transplant. At certain points during stem cell transplant, your immune system is at an all time low until your immune system “reboots” when stem cells are given back. Learn from transplant expert Jennifer Saullo, MD, PharmD of Duke University Medical Center as she shares ways to protect myeloma patients from infections before, during and after stem cell transplant.  Dr. Saullo is Assistant Professor of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Duke University. She serves on editorial boards of the Open Forum Infectious Diseases and reviews journals including Medical Mycology, BMJ Case Reports, and Clinical Infectious Diseases. She received the Meritorious Service Award at Duke, and several teaching and resident awards from Columbia University.  Dr. Saullo performs both basic and applied research on topics such as mass spectrometry, B cell immune deficiencies after transplant, transplant infectious disease management and vaccination for transplant recipients.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, GlaxoSmithKlein

What innovation is coming in 2020 in myeloma research? Dr. Robert Orlowski of the the MD Anderson Cancer Center shares the insights learned from the recent American Society of Hematology meeting and highlights leading edge research expected in 2020. There is a stunning amount of development happening in myeloma - immunotherapies like CAR T, bi-specific antibodies, tri-specific antibodies and antibody drug conjugates, new findings in precursor conditions like MGUS and smoldering myeloma, new targeted therapies for relapsed and refractory myeloma and a host of different treatment combinations. Dr. Orlowski will give a broad and comprehensive review of what we can expect to see in 2020. Join us for this favorite annual show.   Dr. Orlowski is Chairman, Ad Interim, Director of Myeloma, and Professor of Medicine in the Departments of Lymphoma/Myeloma and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Orlowski serves as Chair of the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and is a member of the NCI Steering Committee, the Multiple Myeloma Tissue Bank Steering Committee, the Computerized Provider Order Entry Steering Committee, BMT Committee, and American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Dr. Orlowski is on the Editorial Board of Hematology and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Orlowski has received many awards over a number of years including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Scholar in Clinical Research, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man of the Year Award, Emil Frei III Award for Excellence in Translational Research from MD Anderson and has received a SPORE grant from the NIH. Find news and information from his daily newspaper, Myeloma Daily or find him on Twitter at @myeloma_doc. Thank you to our episode sponsor, GSK.

Many myeloma patients are elderly, with the average age of diagnosis being 68. If individuals are fit and active, they can typically receive the "standard of care" drugs such as stem cell transplant or triplet drug combinations. But many individuals may be frail or have other health conditions that would required doctors to adjust treatment accordingly. Dr. Tanya Wildes, MD of the Washington University Siteman Cancer Institute shares how treatment can be modified for more frail patients and how therapy should be personalized for us all.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology.

How much does a cancer cell weigh? And why does it matter? As cancer cells die, they change their weight in a matter of hours. A new device called the Suspended Microchannel Resonator (SMR) is a new technology that can measure a small change in the weight of a single cancer cell. The SMR machine can detect this change and tell whether a cancer cell has died of "natural causes" or if it was killed by a cancer drug. This allows rapid assessment of whether an individual patient is responding to a cancer treatment or not. This wraps together everything about a cancer patient (such as their myeloma genetics, environmental and other biological factors) and analyzes the response to treatment, making it truly personalized medicine.  A company called Travera is now working to commercialize this technology developed in the Manalis Laboratory in the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT. It was recently tested in multiple myeloma in a small study at Dana Farber. Learn more about this fascinating technology that may create the first universal biomarker for cancer in this interview with Traver's CEO, Clifford Reid, PhD.  Thank you to our episode sponsor, GSK.

Cellectar Biosciences is working on testing a radiosensitive therapy in blood cancers including multiple myeloma. Their product, CLR 131, targets the myeloma tumors by delivering a cytotoxic radioisotope, iodine-131 directly to the tumor cells. Phase I study results showed an overall mean survival rate of 26.2 months for relapsed/refractory myeloma patients (who had received on average 5.8 prior lines of therapy). The drug was given as a one or two-dose treatment as a single agent, given during a 30-minute infusion. These results are promising when compared to recently FDA-approved myeloma treatments.  A Phase II study is now open using CLR 131 and dexamethasone for blood cancer patients including: multiple myeloma (MM), indolent chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who have been previously treated with standard therapy for their underlying malignancy. Learn more in this show with Dr. Natalie Callander of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, GSK.

Irene Ghobrial, MD of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Ivan Borrello, MD of Johns Hopkins are leading the largest study on precursor myeloma conditions that will include 50,000 patients and family members. The goal of the study is to detect myeloma early and see why and how patients who have MGUS and smoldering myeloma progress to active myeloma. The study is also seeking to understand the genetic, molecular and immune factors that lead to disease progression with the hope that this knowledge could stop disease progression and improve survival with effective strategies.   If you are African American or family member of a myeloma patient between the ages of 40-75, it's time to join this important study, which requires no travel. These two groups are involved in the study because they are more likely to develop into active myeloma. The Dream Team will study this group in an effort to define biological characteristics that will help to identify which patients will benefit from particular therapies. These biological characteristics include inherited mutations, acquired mutations, and immune factors. The Dream Team will also identify lifestyle and demographic factors that contribute to disease progression, such as obesity and race. The PROMISE study is funded by Stand Up To Cancer, who has provided a $10 million award to the Myeloma Stand Up To Cancer Dream Team focused on revolutionizing the treatment of multiple myeloma through detection of early conditions before they turn into full-blown disease.  Learn more about how you and your family members can join! Thanks to our episode sponsor, Karyopharm Therapeutics

Why is a myeloma specialist so important? What does it take to create a new myeloma research center from scratch? William Matsui, MD recently left Johns Hopkins to do just that. Dr. Matsui is the Deputy Director of the new University of Texas Dell Medical School's LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes myeloma program. Learn what it takes to develop a new myeloma research center and lab and how it helps develop new strategies that could potentially extend lives. Dr. Matsui's unique focus on precursor stem cells, allo transplant approaches and immunotherapy in myeloma care will also be discussed.  William Matsui, MD is Deputy Director of the LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes at Dell Medical School. He specializes in caring for patients with cancers that involve the blood and bone marrow as well as bone marrow transplantation. Matsui came to Austin from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he was a professor of oncology and served as the director of the Multiple Myeloma Program and the co-director of the Division of Hematologic Malignancies. Matsui received his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Harvard College and his medical degree from the University of California at San Francisco. He completed his residency training in internal medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle and his clinical training in medical oncology at Johns Hopkins. Thanks to our episode sponsor, Celgene.

A new treatment called Selinexor was recently approved for highly relapsed multiple myeloma patients. Learn how experts like Dr. Paul Richardson of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute are using this new drug in their myeloma practice. Dr. Richardson will share how the drug works, when and how it should be used, potential side effects to watch out for and manage and why the new option is adding to patients' treatment choices.  Paul Richardson, MD is RJ Corman Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Attending Physician in the Division of Heamatologic Oncology in the Multiple Myeloma and Bone Marrow Transplant Service at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Richardson is the Clinical Program Leader and Director of Clinical Research for The Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Thank you to our episode sponsor, GlaxoSmithKlein.

Immunotherapy is a major class of therapy that continues to expand in the myeloma clinic. Dr. Alexander Leshokin of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center explains the various types of immunotherapies: transplant, monoclonal antibodies, bi-specific antibodies, antibody drug conjugates, cellular therapies like CAR T, vaccines and where each type of treatment is at in the various stages of development.  Dr, Alexander Lesokhin is Assistant Attending Physician at Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases and Assistant Member of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He is an active member of ASCO and ASH and has oversight of fellows and residents in the transplant, lymphoma and myeloma units. Dr. Lesokhin performs significant immunotherapy research and is engaged in studies to perform work in the lab that will bridge to the clinic as to why cancer cells can evade the bone marrow derived tumor-infiltrating cells. He is also performing research on checkpoint inhibitors and why T cells get exhausted, particularly following stem cell transplant.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Celgene.

STEP therapy is an approach in managed medical care to minimize costs of prescription drugs. The program allows patients to begin therapy with the most cost-effective drugs and work their way up to more costly therapies only if necessary. It is also called "step protocol" or "fail first" and is a type of prior authorization requirement. Upward trends for prescription medications in the United States has led to an increased pressure on health care providers to keep medication costs down while maintaining drug availability. The cost controlling measures could impact cancer therapies for all patients, but it may be a particular challenge for myeloma patients who tend to used combination therapies in a serial fashion. Learn more about this and other issues about cost in myeloma care with Dr. Rafael Fonseca, Chair the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale program.  Dr. Rafael Fonseca is the Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine and Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. He is also Getz Family Professor of Cancer in Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in the Department of Education Administration. He is a Distinguished Mayo Investigator since 2010 and is also a Consultant in the Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Basic Sciences Research Laboratories at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Fonseca is an Editorial Board Member for the publication Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer. Dr. Fonseca is also on the Mayo Clinic Arizona Executive Operations Team  and Editorial Board.

CAR T therapy is becoming a hot area of early clinical trials for multiple myeloma patients, but most are personally customized for each patient. A company called Cellectis has developed an off-the-shelf CAR T that every patient can use. Instead of being an "autologous" CAR T treatment (where you use your own cells), this is also called an "allogeneic" CAR T, or a "donor"CAR T. Many of the current CAR T therapies are going after a target called b-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). This It is going after a different target called CS1/SLAMF7. Learn more about this new treatment (called UCARTCS1) from David Siegel, MD, PhD of Hackensack University / John Theurer Cancer Center and how it will be used in early myeloma clinical trials.  Thanks to our episode sponsor: Celgene Corporation

A new clinical trial is open combining low dose melphalan, a drug commonly used at high doses for stem cell transplant, and high dose intravenous Vitamin C. Learn more about how these two treatments work synergistically and why they have been combined in a clinical trial at the University of Iowa. The University of Iowa has unique experience with IV Vitamin C and Dr. Yogesh Jethava joins Myeloma Crowd Radio to share this fascinating open study now enrolling patients.  Dr. Yogesh Jethava is Associate Professor and Director of the Multiple Myeloma program as well as Associate Director of the Blood and Marrow Program at the University of Iowa. Prior to this appointment, he was director of the Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Services Division of Hematology Oncology at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences or UAMS where he established the first fully functional allo transplant unit. There, he was Director and Attending Physician for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Subspecialty Clinic.   Dr. Jethava is an International Myeloma Working Group member and part of the EMBT malignancy working group and is a member of the Experimental Therapeutics groups and others. He reviews abstracts for publications like blood leukemia in the Blood Cancer Journal, and he is also working on studies that involves high dose vitamin C infusions for plasma cell disorders like myeloma.

A new monoclonal antibody called Isatuximab is advancing through clinical trials and is getting closer to FDA approval. This antibody targets CD38. Learn more from Dr. Ravi Vij of Washington University as he discusses the findings from recent clinical trials, how this drug will be used in the clinc and how it is different from other monoclonal antibodies previously approved. Dr. Vij was the senior author on the first Isatuximab paper published in Blood and has been involved in several clinical trials to date.  Dr. Ravi Vij is Associate Professor of Medicine at the Washington School of Medicine in the Bone Marrow Transplant section. He received his medical degree in India and did follow-up training and residency at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago and fellowships in Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Stem Cell Biology at Washington University. He’s a member of ASCO, ASH, the St. Louis Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He serves on numerous national committees including the Myeloma, Transplant, Leukemia Committees of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology and the Steering Committee of the MMRC. His honors include the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Innovator Award in 2013 and the MMRC Center of Excellence Award. He’s the author of over 100 peer-reviewed publications, as well as a book called Contemporary Management of Multiple Myeloma, and several book chapters. He served as a reviewer for several journals, including Blood, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Experimental Hematology, and Haematologica.

Major progress is being made in the field of multiple myeloma including a vast array of immunotherapy options. Learn about key findings from the recent ASH conference in addition to what we can look forward to in the coming year. Listen to myeloma expert Robert Z. Orlowski, MD, PhD of the MD Anderson Cancer Center as he reviews the up-and-coming choices for the clinic and those new treatments in clinical trials. Dr. Orlowski is Director of the Myeloma Section, Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Orlowski serves as Chair of the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and is a member of the NCI Steering Committee, the Multiple Myeloma Tissue Bank Steering Committee, the Computerized Provider Order Entry Steering Committee, BMT Committee, and American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Dr. Orlowski is on the Editorial Board of Hematology and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Orlowski has received many awards over a number of years including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Scholar in Clinical Research, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man of the Year Award, Emil Frei III Award for Excellence in Translational Research from MD Anderson and has received a SPORE grant from the NIH. Find news and information from his daily newspaper, Myeloma Daily or find him on Twitter at @myeloma_doc. Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

Testing Your Individual Myeloma Tumor Against Available Myeloma Therapies Each myeloma patient's tumor is unique and can change over time. Dr. Rodriguez is using a new 3D organoid tumor modeling platform which allows the testing of over 50 myeloma treatment combinations against your specific tumor (including your bone marrow microenvironment) to identify which treatments will work best for your type of myeloma. This personalized approach will help you find useful drug combinations that will have the most impact and avoid treatments that will be ineffective. Learn more in this fascinating show.  Thanks to our episode sponsor: Takeda Oncology

Targeting CD24 to Eliminate Myeloma Stem Cells Myeloma stem cells (or early progenitor cells before they become plasma cells) may not be killed with current myeloma therapies and could be the cause of relapse. Dr. Zhan has identified the presence of CD24 as a strong candidate as a cancer stem cell marker and believes that high CD24 levels lead to more aggressive myeloma and earlier death. His work will test patient samples for the presence of CD24 and assess outcomes while also identifying CD24 monoclonal antibodies that could impact this target. Learn more from Dr. Zhan and Dr. Yogesh Jethava of the University of Iowa in this Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative show. Donate to the MCRI here: give.crowdcare.org/mcri Thanks to our episode sponsor, Celgene Corporation.

Why do some multiple myeloma patients relapse early after stem cell transplant while others stay in remission for many years? The immune system may be a key factor.   David Chung, MD, PhD of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center was recently selected as a Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative (MCRI) award recipient. The goal of the MCRI is to help optimize myeloma therapy for individual patients. Dr. Chung's research will review patients who have undergone stem cell transplant. He will study three different parts of the immune system after transplant - T cells, lymphocytes and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and will compare early vs. late relapse. He will then combine that immune system signature with the myeloma genetics of each patient to understand the impact they have together.  Learn why studying the immune system may be just as important as the study of myeloma genetics and what this research can mean for you personally. The Myeloma Crowd created the MCRI because we "Can't Wait for a Cure." Through the MCRI we want to help find the right treatment for the right patient at the right time. The MCRI is funding three research projects - each with a different focus - that will also integrate with HealthTree, a new tool for myeloma patients. Learn more about HealthTree here: www.healthtree.org. Donate to the MCRI here: http://give.crowdcare.org/mcri. Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

In the World Series and the world of baseball, a strategy for success means planning ahead - doing everything you can to come out a winner. In the world of multiple myeloma, that means being your best advocate and coming up with your Most Valuable Plan. Which doctor will you choose, what treatments will you receive and in what order? Having a game plan is essential to making sure you stay in the game. Join us as we talk with twelve-time MLB All-Sar and Hall-of-Famer Dave Winfield, whose close friend and former teammate Don Baylor passed away following a 14-year old battle with the disease. Together with Don's son, Don Baylor Jr., both are committed to helping raise awareness for this incurable blood cancer.

African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with the rare blood cancer called multiple myeloma than white Americans and other ethnicities. Why is this and what can we do to ensure that this population obtains their very best care? Learn more about the genetics, younger diagnosis and other unique features for these patients and what we could do to increase life expectancy. Dr. Ashraf Badros of the University of Maryland joins us for this important and life-saving show. Thanks to our episode sponsor, Celgene Corporation.

Stand Up To Cancer has announced a $10 million award to a Stand Up To Cancer Dream Team focused on revolutionizing the treatment of multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer of plasma cells, through early detection of precursor conditions before they turn into full-blown disease.  The team will be led by Irene Ghobrial, MD at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston and Ivan M. Borrello, MD, of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.  The hypothesis of this proposal is that early detection of MGUS/SMM in a high-risk population, along with a good understanding of the molecular and immune factors that lead to disease progression, will lead to effective strategies that intercept disease progression and improve survival. The Dream Team proposes to conduct a screening study of individuals over the age of 45, who are at a high risk for having MGUS or SMM, such as African-Americans and individuals who have a first-degree relative that has been diagnosed with a plasma cell disorder. This study will be called the PROMISE study. We will focus on these populations because they are two to three-fold more likely than others to have these precursor conditions. The Team expects to screen 50,000 individuals to obtain 3,000 MGUS/smoldering myeloma cases to intensively study and follow over time. The Dream Team will study this group in an effort to define biological characteristics that will help to identify which patients will benefit from particular therapies. These biological characteristics include inherited mutations, acquired mutations, and immune factors. The Dream Team will also identify lifestyle and demographic factors that contribute to disease progression, such as obesity and race. The Dream Team will use this information to develop new therapeutics that that can be used to prevent myeloma from progressing.

At last year's ASH meeting, there was excitement around a new antibody drug conjugate targeting a protein called BCMA from Glaxo Smith Klein. Results from their Phase I study showed that patients who had relapsed immunomodulators (like Revlimid), proteasome inhibitors (like Velcade) and even monoclonal antibodies (like daratumumab), responded when taking this drug alone (60% response rate). Learn more from Dr. Maria Chaudhry of Ohio State University about current studies using this new drug and when patients could consider it in the course of their treatment.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Celgene.

The myeloma landscape is rapidly changing with many new advancements. Paul Richardson, MD of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute joins Myeloma Crowd Radio to share recent updates from major summer meetings including the American Society of Clinical Oncology and European Hematology Association meeting and several others.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology.

How do multiple myeloma patients get into clinical trials? Especially those using popular new science like CAR T therapy? Brian McMahon, founder of SparkCures shares tips and tricks to get into these trials. Brian is the founder of SparkCures, a multiple myeloma clinical trial finder tool that simplifies the process. Brian shares his experience helping individual myeloma patients join these trials and will share the ins and outs of clinical trial participation. Join us and call in with questions on this practical show that can help you navigate your disease.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Celgene Corporation

Many multiple myeloma patients can become resistant to an important class of myeloma drugs called proteasome inhibitors. Researchers found that expression of MUC20 could help predict how sensitive or resistant patients would be to proteasome inhibitors and found that MUC20 protein could be potentially impacted by an already FDA-approved drug offered by Amgen.  Learn more from Dr. Muhamad Baljevic of the University of Nebraska Medical Center about how this new drug is being used in a Phase I/II clinical trial to see if patients who have become resistant to carfilzomib can overcome that resistance by adding this new drug to the mix. These new c-MET inhibitors could have broader use in myeloma combinations. Thanks to our episode sponsor, Celgene Corporation.