Multiple myeloma is a rare cancer that affects plasma cells1. Abnormal plasma cells often accumulate in bone marrow overcrowding healthy cells and cause low blood counts, bone and calcium issues, infections, and kidney damage or failure. Although rare (accounting for 1% of cancer overall), it is the third most prevalent blood cancer after non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia2.
Currently, there is no cure for multiple myeloma, however there are treatments that can help people live longer, healthier lives. Stem cell transplant is a standard of care for eligible patients. However, over half of those newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma are not eligible for transplant due to other major health problems, such as heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease3. Studies have shown, people 65 and above and those who are ineligible for transplant have a lower survival rate4.
ACCC has developed an educational initiative Changing Treatment Paradigms for Patients with Multiple Myeloma. The goal of this work is to raise awareness among cancer programs about treatment options for newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who are ineligible for transplant. The project will include a variety of methodologies for disseminating education and information to cancer programs including a series of podcasts, blog posts, and a collaborative webinar.
It is really important that we get information about subcutaneous daratumumab out to practices that are treating patients with myeloma. Anyone who is administering daratumumab intravenously for all of their patients is missing out on an opportunity to make treatment more convenient for the patient and the practice, and for the patients to have fewer side effects.
— Dan Vogl, MD, MSCE, Penn Medicine
For more information on this project, please contact the ACCC Provider Education department.
March is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month. Learn more about the work ACCC is doing to support oncology professionals in treating patients with this disease.
ACCCBuzz spoke with Dr. Jessica Unzaga at Baptist Health’s Miami Cancer Institute, to help consider the use of triplet vs. quadruplet regimens in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
ACCCBuzz spoke with Dr. Dan Vogl to learn more about the treatment options available to patients with multiple myeloma, including the benefits of adding anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies in either first- or second-line treatment.