HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma

Dr. Clifton Mo of Dana Farber Cancer Institue shares a multitude of tools available in the myeloma toolbox. This includes all of the "standard of care" drugs that we are familiar with such as immunomodulators, proteasome inhibitors, steroids, monoclonal antibodies as well as tools in development.  He reviews triplet combo treatment options at first relapse and his preference to use Kyprolis in the mix, especially when given a more aggressive myeloma.  Dr. Mo explains how antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) work and how the first ADC, BLENREP, may be making a comeback. He shares how dexamethasone can be reduced or stopped under certain conditions. He explains BCL-2 inhibitors like venetoclax and how they are making their way through clinical trials.  Dr. Mo describes celmods and how they work and are a promising new class of drugs. He also described how an XPO1 inhibitor called selinexor is being used both with the celmods  and alone as an agent that works well for higher risk myeloma.  This shows myeloma patients how fortunate we are to have these tools available and speaks to the importance of having a myeloma specialist on your team who can help you make treatment decisions. This can be done alone or in partnership with your local oncologist. There is data that shows that having a specialist on year team leads to longer life. 

Learn how bispecific antibodies are being used in multiple myeloma care and how physicians are helping patients manage side effects using new approaches like fixed-duration therapy.

Dr. Robert Orlowski from MD Anderson discusses the 2024 myeloma landscape, including advancements in CAR-T therapies, bispecific antibodies, and targeted therapies. Topics include risk determination, smoldering myeloma strategies, optimal treatments for newly diagnosed patients, considerations at first relapse, and upcoming clinical trials.

Dr. Luciano Costa discusses CAR T therapy in multiple myeloma, including availability improvements, testing in earlier lines of therapy, side effects, new targets, combo CAR Ts, maintenance therapy, open clinical trials, and new CAR T variants. The podcast delves into the significance of CAR-T therapy, advancements in FDA-approved drugs, ongoing clinical trials, maintenance therapy debates, and the importance of early access to CAR-T clinical trials in myeloma treatment.

Dr. Paul Richardson from Dana Farber discusses fast-moving myeloma research, including bispecific antibodies, CAR T trials, sequencing preferences, BCMA therapies, MRD advances, and blood-based testing. Updates on new therapy targets, clinical trial endpoints, and more exciting findings in the field.

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

Dr. Ola Landgren discusses the rise of blood-based tests for myeloma care, highlighting the benefits of less invasive testing methods such as mass spectrometry, MRD testing, and circulating tumor cell testing. These tests offer a more comfortable and informative experience for patients and doctors, potentially replacing bone marrow biopsies. The podcast delves into the different types of blood-based tests, their functions, and how they could enhance myeloma practice in the future.

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.