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Meet the Researcher: Malathy Shanmugam, PhD, MS

Research Highlight: Changing the Landscape of Treatment for Multiple Myeloma (Part 1)

FDA Approval: New Treatment Indication for Multiple Myeloma Drug

Global Partnership to Fund Groundbreaking Research in Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

Multiple Myeloma (MM): Diagnosis, Treatment and Side Effect Management

Dissect the function of histone demethylase KDM5 on overcoming drug resistance toward immunotherapy in multiple myeloma

We identified that KDM5 can regulate important transcription factors in multiple myeloma (MM) and regulate the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment in providing protection toward MM, which also reduces anti-MM immunity. Thus, our study will utilize our novel potent and selective KDM5 inhibitor to fully dissect the interactions between MM cells, the BM microenvironment and the immune system in cellular and animal models to establish important mechanistic insights into MM.

Early Detection and Intervention in Smoldering Multiple Myeloma: population-based screening and treatment; Edit-SMM

We build on the success from the Iceland Screens, Treats, or Prevents Multiple Myeloma (iStopMM) study, where over 80,000 consented to a nationwide screening for MM precursors. A unique cohort of patients with SMM diagnosed in iStopMM will be followed by clinical evaluation, linking to central health data registries, using novel biomarkers, and in-depth genetics. With precision early treatment we aim to induce a paradigm shift leading to improved quality of life and potentially a cure for MM.

Improving outcomes of multiple myeloma using TGF-beta resistant BCMA-targeted CAR T cells

Immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, or CARTs for short, holds great promise for improving outcomes and survival of patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Next-generation “armored” CARTs that can overcome transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) dependent immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment may provide deeper and more durable disease control than the TGF-beta sensitive CART products currently in clinical use.

Myeloma Overview

We provide education and outreach programs nationwide to increase awareness of myeloma and to improve all patients’ ability to access treatment and other resources.  We are in the process of updating and enhancing our Myeloma Link webpage to provide you with more information about these programs.

Myeloma

Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. Plasma cells develop from B lymphocytes (B cells). B cells are found in the blood, lymph nodes and bone marrow.

Highlights from ASCO 2021

Ixazomib

Ixazomib is FDA approved in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.

Honoring Blood Cancer Survivors

Throughout June, in commemoration of #NationalCancerSurvivorMonth, we at LLS have been highlighting the resilience and achievements of blood cancer survivors. I’ve treated so many incredible young survivors in my years as a pediatric hematologist oncologist, and all of them hold a special place in my heart. 

FDA Approves Two New Treatments for Heavily Pretreated Multiple Myeloma

Latest FDA Approval Demonstrates Improved Response Times in Multiple Myeloma

FDA Approves Targeted Therapy for Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

Melphalan hydrochloride

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval of EVOMELA for use in two indications:

1. Use as a high-dose conditioning treatment prior to hematopoietic progenitor (stem) cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM)
2. For the palliative treatment of patients with MM for whom oral therapy is not appropriate.

This is the first product to be FDA-approved for the high-dose conditioning indication in MM.

Talquetamab-tgvs

Talquetamab-tgvs is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.

Elranatamab-bcmm

Elranatamab-bcmm is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior lines of therapy including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.

Ciltacabtagene autoleucel

Ciltacabtagene autoleucel is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least 1 prior line of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent, and are refractory to lenalidomide.

Teclistamab-cqyv

Tecvayli™ (teclistamab‑cqyv) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor,  an immunomodulatory agent and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. 

This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be  contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).

Myeloma Staging

Doctors use imaging and laboratory test results and bone marrow examination findings to determine the extent of disease. This determination is called “staging.” Staging helps your doctor predict the myeloma's progression and develop a treatment plan.

Myeloma has three stages numbered from 1 to 3. Often doctors write the stage in Roman numerals. You may see stage 1 written as Stage I, stage 2 written as Stage II and stage 3 written as Stage III.

NexImmune Announces Preliminary Phase 1/2 NEXI-002 Results in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Pomalidomide

Pomalidomide is FDA approved to treat people with multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies including lenalidomide and bortezomib and have demonstrated disease progression on or within 60 days of completion of the last therapy. Approval is based on response rate. Clinical benefit, such as improvement in survival or symptoms, has not been verified. 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's New Chief Scientific Officer Excited about What's Next in Blood Cancer Research

Lore Gruenbaum, Ph.D., was promoted to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) following the retirement of longtime CSO Lee Greenberger, Ph.D. on December 31. We talked with Dr. Gruenbaum about her new role and what’s on the horizon for blood cancer research in 2025. 

“It’s a privilege to lead a group of dedicated LLS scientists to seek out and fund innovative science for every type of blood cancer,” says Dr. Gruenbaum.