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CURE’s myeloma page is a go-to resource for oncology news and updates in the world of myeloma Here, readers will find cancer articles, videos, podcasts, and more with expert insight into the latest treatments and research in myeloma.

Blood cancer treatments — and one treatment type, in particular — were the point of much discussion last week. The FDA said that it is investigating instances of secondary malignancies in patients with blood cancers treated with CAR-T cell therapy. Also, the drug manufacturer for a novel CAR-T cell therapy submitted an application to introduce the treatment into the United States market.

Blood cancers will continue to be a hot topic this week, as later in the week we’ll be covering the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting. And before that, we’ll also be covering the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Chance or CAR-T: Expert Weighs in on FDA Investigation

One of the biggest headlines in the cancer space last week was that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they are investigating instances of T-cell malignancies — such as CAR-positive lymphoma — occurring in patients with blood cancers that were treated with CAR-T cell therapy.

CAR-T cell therapy is a newer type of blood cancer treatment that involves extracting patients’ blood and reengineering their immune T cells to find and fight cancer. Those new T cells are then multiplied and infused back into the patient. Since the first CAR-T cell product was approved in 2017, this treatment modality has drastically improved outcomes for patients with certain types of blood cancers.

It’s worth mentioning that the FDA’s Nov. 28 report about T-cell malignancies did not definitively say that CAR-T cell therapies are directly causing secondary diseases. They also did not mention the frequency at which these T-cell malignancies are occurring. I spoke with Dr. John Lister, who said that perhaps it’s the manufacturing process that could be the root cause, but perhaps it is also just chance, as research has shown that many patients with cancer hold a higher risk of developing a second cancer. For now, we’re just going to have to wait and see what further data tells us.

FDA Biologics License Application Filed for Obe-Cel for Adult R/R B-ALL

Also in CAR-T cell therapy news, last week a pharmaceutical company submitted a Biologics License Application to the FDA for their CAR-T cell therapy, obe-cel to be used for patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

When a pharmaceutical company files a Biologics License Application to the FDA, they’re essentially asking the agency to allow them to bring the drug to the market. The company submitting the drug must provide the FDA with multiple pieces of information, including findings from preclinical and clinical studies showing that the drug is safe.

In this instance, the pharmaceutical company cited data from the FELIX study, from which, early data showed that 76% if patients responded to the therapy, including 54.3% who had a complete response, meaning that their disease essentially disappeared. Now, updated findings from the trial will be presented at the upcoming ASH Annual Meeting. 

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to 

From FDA concerns to a potential new drug, CAR-T cell therapies were dominating oncology headlines last week. 

Top Headlines on CAR-T Cell Therapy

Ryan Johnson is a physician assistant in the emergency department who was working through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic when he learned he had multiple myeloma. At the time, he questioned how he would remain safe and healthy, and if he’d be able to produce antibodies after receiving the vaccine.

Johnson answers these questions and more in this episode of the “Cancer Horizons” podcast, as he paints a vivid picture of what it was like to care for patients with COVID-19 while undergoing treatment for his cancer.

“I would like to get back to the old way of life and being able to go without a mask and being able to go to people's houses, you know, and just not have to worry about that stuff,” Johnson said in an interview with CURE®. “But it's the reality that the world isn't like that for me at this time.”

In this episode of the “Cancer Horizons” podcast, a physician assistant recalls his experience as a frontline health care worker during the COVID-19 pandemic and what it was like to get diagnosed with multiple myeloma during such a chaotic time.

Health Care Worker Discusses Cancer Diagnosis and Vaccine Experience While on the Frontlines of the COVID-19 Pandemic

As a devoted fashion lover from an early age, Donna McNutt has always been passionate about the art of dressing up to take on whatever the day may bring. And sometimes, the day brings a cancer diagnosis.

In this episode of the “Cancer Horizons” podcast, McNutt explains the genesis of her Instagram account, “Cancer Fashionista,” her love for fashion and how dressing for the day helps her get through the dark moments of cancer treatment.

“I dress for what the day is, what the night is and how I feel,” she said. “And I had to learn what that looked like with being in treatment. And, you know, sometimes I didn't really feel that good — I mean, not good at all. But I had to still go to an event or something. So it worked. It worked for me to get dressed.”

On this episode of the “Cancer Horizons” podcast, a woman with multiple myeloma shares how she made the best of her cancer treatment process by channeling her emotions through fashion expression.

‘Cancer Fashionista’ Discusses Finding Confidence During Cancer

A diagnosis of multiple myeloma can be daunting and overwhelming. But according to Dr. Andrew Yee, an assistant professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, it is also a very treatable disease.

 Talks Cancer” podcast, Yee went on to explain that the majority of patients do very well with treatment and continue to live the fullest lives possible.

“I do want to appreciate that, you know, getting this diagnosis is a really hard diagnosis, because you're moving forward with your life, and then your life gets turned upside down,” Yee said. “When I see a patient, usually the multiple myeloma is sort of front and center – it’s on the front burner. And the hope is that with treatment, the majority of patients I see, we can turn this from being a front burner (thing) to something that's on the back burner, or that's in the background.”

’s Educated Patient Multiple Myeloma Summit earlier this month, Dr. Yee sat down with 

 to discuss the signs and symptoms of the disease, what the current treatment paradigm looks like and offer some advice to newly diagnosed patients.

In this episode of the “CURE® Talks Cancer” podcast, we’re honoring Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month by speaking with Dr. Andrew Yee, about the signs and symptoms of this rare form of cancer, what the current treatment paradigm looks like and what advice he has for newly diagnosed patients.

The Basics of Multiple Myeloma

Each year, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) hosts its Laugh for Life event, which aims to educate, empower and inspire individuals to raise awareness and funds for multiple myeloma research.

Ahead of its event, CURE spoke with Tina Rettig, a caregiver for her husband who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2010. Tina serves as a co-chair for the event, which will be held on May 6, to help to fund groundbreaking research initiatives like the MMRF’s most recent Direct to Patient Registry, a cornerstone of its 

“One of the big takeaways from (Laugh for Life) is the information that we put out there…(It raises) money, and money leads to research, and research leads to testing new treatments that can be approved,” Rettig said. “And there's no one treatment that fits everybody. So it's important that we have different levels of treatment, and that you can (live with) this disease.”

In addition, we spoke with Andrew Marcelle, and his father, Peter, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2016. Marcell will be receiving the “Spirit of Hope” award at this year’s event for his work in fundraising for the MMRF.

“It's such a big organization and there's so many people involved with it…(receiving this award) is very humbling and I'm excited for the event,” Marcelle said.

MMRF

In this episode of the “CURE Talks Cancer” podcast, we spoke with the co-chair of the MMRF’s Laugh for Life event, as well as this year’s “Spirit of Hope” award recipient.
 

Laugh for Life

Dr. Cesar Rodriguez has spent the last seven years dedicated to advancing the field of multiple myeloma — which he discussed in this week’s episode of the “

Rodriguez highlighted advances with precision medicine in the multiple myeloma treatment landscapes, and common questions patients have for their physicians.

Moreover, he also highlighted his recent trek to Patagonia with Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma, an effort partnered by 

 and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Through the trek, Rodriguez was able to meet with patients and their caregivers about a disease he has spent his career dedicated to finding more treatments for.

In this week’s episode of the “CURE Talks Cancer” podcast, we spoke with Dr. Cesar Rodriguez about precision medicine, and his recent trek to Patagonia with Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma.

Understanding Precision Medicine in Multiple Myeloma

It was one man’s passion for music that actually led to his 

In 2012, Ryan Anthony received his cancer diagnosis at just 43 years of age — something that was sparked by chronic aches and pains while playing his trumpet.

With this passion, he and fellow musicians created the Cancer Blows event, designed to raise both awareness and money to encourage 

Cancer Blows, an event by The Ryan Anthony Foundation, offers hope for many with cancer – all while raising awareness for multiple myeloma.

A Song for Hope

Ethan Hawes was a college student, studying abroad in Spain. Having returned home to the states after running the Madrid Marathon, Ethan thought he was experiencing lingering leg and hip pain from training, but in reality, it was actually something much different: a multiple myeloma diagnosis.

 Talks Cancer, we spoke with Ethan about his experience as a 22-year-old diagnosed with a rare cancer, and his advice for others going through a similar journey.

In this week’s episode of CURE Talks Cancer, we spoke with Ethan Hawes about his experience as a 22-year-old diagnosed with multiple myeloma, and his advice for others going through a similar journey.

Running the Marathon Called Cancer

Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma (MM4MM) is a collaboration to raise awareness and funds for myeloma research where patients, caregivers, doctors, nurses and loved ones take on challenging mountain climbs throughout the year. On this year’s domestic hike, a team of 20 explored the Havasu Falls region of the Grand Canyon.

In this week’s episode, we spoke with two climbers: Jamie Tinschert, who received a multiple myeloma diagnosis in June 2012, and Chris Seal, a marketing director for an oncology brand at Amgen — who also sponsored the Havasu Falls climb – about their experience and why the MM4MM treks are key to raising awareness for multiple myeloma.

We spoke with two members of the Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma team.

Moving Mountains

Former professional football player Elijah Alexander was enjoying life as a retired linebacker until his health took a turn for the worse in 2010. At first, his symptoms were written off as the result of years of wear and tear on his body from being an athlete, until one doctor finally ran more tests and diagnosed him with multiple myeloma. 

Elijah eventually passed away from the disease, but his wife, Kimberly, remains vocal about telling his story and spreading awareness about myeloma, which affects a higher proportion of African Americans than any other race. But still, many people are unfamiliar with the disease. 

Now, Kimberly is trying to change that, and encourages people to be more proactive about their health, not only during Minority Health Month, but throughout the year.

In this week's episode of CURE Talks Cancer, we spoke with Kimberly Alexander, who became an advocate for minority health after her husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

Minorities and Myeloma: One Advocate's Story

Tecvayli responses were found to be slightly lower in patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma treated with another BCMA-targeted therapy.

Tecvayli Effective in BCMA-Pretreated R/R Multiple Myeloma

I need to acknowledge and address the impact stress from multiple myeloma has on my mental and emotional wellbeing. 

Recognizing and Managing Stress from Cancer

Patients with heavily pretreated myeloma tended to have “really amazing results” with the CAR-T cell therapy, Carvykti. 

Carvykti Provides Good Long-Term Quality of Life in Pretreated Myeloma

After cancer, I've been learning to maintain a positive attitude regarding my self-image and rehabilitation.

Balancing Act: Navigating Self-Image, Autonomy and Rehabilitation After Cancer

The Food and Drug Administration approved the CAR-T cell therapy, Carvykti, for previously treated patients with multiple myeloma.  

FDA Approves Carvykti for Relapsed, Refractory Myeloma 

For patients with lymphoma or multiple myeloma, speaking up about symptoms of cytokine release syndrome can be lifesaving.

‘Key Signs’ of Cytokine Release Syndrome to Know

It’s important for patients receiving bispecific antibodies for lymphoma or multiple myeloma to recognize “key signs” of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), said Andrea Wagner.

This side effect, if identified early, can be mitigated after receiving the immunosuppressive drug, Actemra (tocilizumab). However, knowing the symptoms and actively communicating with providers is essential for patients, Wagner noted.

Wagner is a clinical oncology nurse specialist at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.

CRS is a condition that may occur after treatment with certain monoclonal antibodies and CAR-T cell therapies. This happens when the body rapidly releases cytokines in the blood from immune cells after receiving immunotherapy, as the National Cancer Institute defines.

Nurse Suggests Questions to Ask Before Carvykti Treatment for Myeloma

“We really want to make sure that we're identifying cytokine release syndrome as soon as possible,” she explained, notably because it can be “deadly if left untreated.”

So, Wagner emphasized the importance for patients to voice their symptoms and side effects when they experience them.

“We do try to give heavy patient education when they sign the consent for the drug, these bispecifics for multiple myeloma and lymphoma come with an inpatient admission,” she said. “So whether we’re giving you the first full dose, we will make sure to educate [patients] in terms of what they’re looking for.

“But it’s so important to speak up with anything that you may feel,” Wagner added. “It is scary because it is different and it can be severe. But if caught early, we can treat it and stop it from getting to that point.”

So when we talk about cytokine release syndrome, I really relate it [to the way] it mimics sepsis. And basically, I say it's like your vital signs. So if you feel any heart palpitations, which could be a sign of increased heart rate, it's important to let your provider know.

If you have a fever, which is the number one sign of CRS, [it’s] important to report it to your provider. Blood pressure plays a role in this. So if you feel dizzy [or] lightheaded, again, letting your provider know, and headaches as well. So those are all your key signs, as well as trouble breathing, that you should be reporting to your physician.

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