HealthTree Podcast: Dan Vogl, MD, UPENN and Yulia Nefedova, MD, PhD, Wistar

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