For the last 50 years, myeloma studies have relied on myeloma progression measurements like complete response (CR) or progression free survival (PFS) to tell whether new treatmets are working (or not). Myeloma patients are now living longer because of new treatment advances, which is a huge blessing. But it is also a challenge for research. If the average patient is living 8-10 years, how can studies be performed and show results in the 2-3 year range so that the new drugs can be approved quickly?  Minimal residual disease testing can detect very low levels of disease and being MRD-negative is linked to patients living longer. Researchers would like to use MRD testing as a study measurement. Learn about the different types of MRD tests, how to have one done and why researchers want to use this test as an end-point in studies.  Dr. Ola Landgren of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is a pioneer in the MRD space and joins us for this important show. Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

The year 2017 promises to be an exciting one in multiple myeloma research. With so many new types of therapies in the clinic like immunotherapies, specific inhibitors and variations of combinations, the choices are expanding for myeloma patients. Listen to myeloma expert Dr. Robert Z. Orlowski of the MD Anderson Cancer Center as he reviews the up-and-coming choices for the clinic and those new treatments in clinical trials.  Special thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology.

It's a rare opportunity to have a panel of myeloma experts available to answer any myeloma patient question. Experts at our Myeloma Crowd Round Tables answered common patient questions at our meeting in St. Louis. Listen in to learn more about a wide variety of topics with experts that have over 80 years treating myeloma including:  Guido Tricot, MD, PhD (University of Iowa), Morie Gertz, MD (Mayo Clinic), Keith Stockerl-Goldstein, MD (Washington University), and Ravi Vij, MD (Washington University). Thanks to our Myeloma Crowd Radio episode sponsor Takeda Oncology  Thanks to our Myeloma Crowd Round Table sponsors: Takeda Oncology, Amgen and Signal Genetics

One of the two projects funded by the Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative is an immunotherapy called MILs (marrow infiltrating lymphocytes). For high risk myeloma patients, their T-cells are taken out, grown up a hundred fold in the presence of their tumor and then given back a post-transplant. Dr. Borrello gives us an update on his open clinical trlal for high risk patients and shares how is also using the MILs with allogeneic transplant and other future combinations (like with checkpoint inhibitors) and in earlier settings. This immunotherapy can be used in almost 100% of patients with fewer side effects than other types of immunotherapy approaches like CAR T cells.  You can support this project by donating here: The Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative (MCRI) Special thanks to our Myeloma Crowd Radio episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology.

At the University of Michigan, Dr. Craig Cole is working on a collaboration with the MMRC to perform genomic sequencing on 500 hundred relapsed and refractory myeloma patients over a two year period. The goal is to share each patient's genomic profile to identify patient-specific treatment options. The study will be open at 11 myeloma academic centers to begin, with more to open in the future. The tissue samples collected at these centers are shipped to the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, which then evaluates the alterations of 1700 genes. The study aims to find the specific mutations that are "actionable," or that have a drug that can be used. The study goal is to make myeloma treatment more precise for a disease that varies widely from patient to patient.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

According to multiple myeloma specialists, autologous stem cell transplant is not going away any time soon, even in the age of new therapies. Dr. Sergio Giralt is a myeloma specialist and a transplant specialist who shares what "transplant plus" could look like. Now that new treatments and drugs are in the clinic, what is being done to extend remission times for patients by adding something else to the transplant, either before, during or after? Dr. Giral weighs in with options that include immunotherapies like vaccines and other T cell treatments that could make transplant even more durable. Special thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

How do clinical trials work in multiple myeloma? Dr. Nikoletta Lendvai of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center joins us to share information how how trials work, how patients can join and why they benefit by participating. She will also describe open clinical trials at her center including a new drug called Selinexor. Listen in and learn why clinical trials can bring us closer to a cure, faster.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

What can multiple myeloma patients try if they relapse current medications or treatments early? Or if the relapses continue and they become refractory to treatment? With newer drugs now available in the clinic, picking the right combinations at the right time is key for patients. Learn how to educate yourself about the current options and how to position yourself for your best care.   Dr. Andrzej Jakubowiak, MD, PhD of the University of Chicago is a myeloma expert who is deeply involved in the creation of clinical trials testing these newer combinations. He shares his expertise on the timing, staging and combinations that are being tested in clinical trials and what he is learning from these studies.  Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

Now that daratumumab is being used in the clinic, myeloma specialists have more experience with its use. Learn why a new test is in the works to prevent patients from being taken off the drug when they are actually responding and which combinations are the most effective. Dr. Torben Plesner has been running daratumumab clinical trials since its inception and is a myeloma expert with extensive experience with the drug. Thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology

For over sixty years Dr. Robert Kyle, MD of the Mayo Clinic led the way in myeloma research and was the pioneer that defined and determined early precursor conditions MGUS and smoldering myeloma in the late 1970s and early 1980s.  He joins us to share over 40 years of data from an extensive longitudinal study and his key findings on these precursor conditions of multiple myeloma. Dr. Kyle's groundbreaking work has changed how smoldering myeloma is diagnosed and treated. Learn what deep expertise can tell us about myeloma progression from these early stages and what it means for you. Special thanks to our episode sponsor, Takeda Oncology