Myeloma Patient Seminar in Italy Includes a Dash of Poetry
More than 100 people gathered in the town of Udine, Italy last week for a lively and informative myeloma patient event hosted by the Italian blood cancer patient group AIL. The organization is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, according to IMF's Director of Europe and the Middle East, Nadia Elkebir. Nadia delivered a well-received presentation about the IMF during the panel presentations in Udine and she reports on the many highlights of the event HERE. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - April 24, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Calling All Researchers: Submit Your Grant Applications for the 2016 Brian D. Novis Research Awards
The Brian D. Novis Research Awards honor the IMF's founder Brian Novis, who died of multiple myeloma in July of 1992. The awards go to researchers doing work in the field of multiple myeloma and related disorders including smoldering myeloma, MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance), as well as immunoglobulin derived amyloidosis. The 2016 awards are $50,000 each for junior grants and $80,000 for senior grants. August 3, 2015 is the deadline for applications. For more information and grant applications click HERE. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - April 23, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
How to Be Safer as You Live Longer: A Patient Checklist
Effective new therapies have extended the lives of many myeloma patients. But with that wonderful benefit comes the need to stay vigilant about disease and treatment side effects, as well as health challenges facing us all as we age. In his blog this week, IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie offers an awareness checklist for patients. To read CLICK HERE. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - April 17, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Opening of Expanded Access Program for Elotuzumab
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) has opened an expanded access protocol for its monoclonal antibody elotuzumab in combination with Revlimid® and dexamethasone. Expanded access is a process regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that allows manufacturers to provide investigational new drugs to patients with serious diseases or conditions who cannot participate in a clinical trial. ?While data from a large, phase III randomized trial comparing elotuzumab plus Rev/dex versus Rev/dex alone is eagerly anticipated, in the interim patients may now enroll at an available site for access to this new combination therapy....
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - April 17, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Register now for the Sustainable Wellness á An Integrative Approach to Transform Your Mind, Body, and Spirit teleconference
The next Living Well With Myeloma Teleconference is Thursday, May 7, 2015. The subject is one that has been “in the news” and a hot topic in the medical world: Sustainable Wellness. Our Speaker for this topic is Dr. Matt Mumber and he has put together an excellent presentation that we feel will be beneficial to you and your group members. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - April 13, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Knowledge Is Power - Especially When Choosing What to Eat
IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie offers his food recommendations for cancer patients in his blog this week. As many know, toxic chemicals found in processed food or on fruits and vegetables exposed to certain pesticides can be dangerous. Becoming aware and protecting yourself against these things are key, and a few new cookbooks can even help further with that. CLICK HERE to read Dr. Durie's blog. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - April 10, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Calling All Nurses: Symposium on Nursing Implications Offered in Orlando
Nurses á so essential to optimal patient outcomes á are invited to attend the IMF's Nurse Leadership Board's symposium, “Case Studies in Myeloma: Nursing Implications of Evolving Treatment Paradigms.” The nurse's roles as patient manager, advocate, and educator are integrated into this engaging 1.5 CNE learning opportunity to be held April 23 in Orlando, FL. To register, CLICK HERE. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - April 10, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Can Polio or Other Viruses Treat Myeloma?
IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie responds in his blog this week to a recent 60 Minutes segment on using the polio virus to treat cancer. Myeloma patients may wonder if this is an option for them, but as Dr. Durie explains, the polio virus needs to be contained within the shell of a solid tumor to be effective. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - April 3, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
FDA Grants Priority Review for Kyprolis & #174; in Relapsed Patients
There was good news for myeloma patients this week as the FDA accepted the supplemental New Drug Application of Kyprolis (carfilzomib) for treatment by injection. The application applies to those with relapsed myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. As part of the acceptance, the FDA granted Kyprolis priority review with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of July 26, 2015. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - April 2, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
South Dakota and West Virginia Join the Fight For Oral Parity
Governor Dennis Daugaard from South Dakota and Governor Earl Ray Tomblin from West Virginia signed SB 101 and HB 2493, respectively, earlier this week, bringing the official tally of states with oral parity laws to 37. This is a significant victory for patients and their families and will ensure that thousands will now have access to the oral anticancer medications they need. The IMF thanks Governors Daugaard and Tomblin for their leadership on this critical issue, and we will continue to provide updates on the remaining states with active oral parity campaigns: Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota ...
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - April 2, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
FDA Grants Priority Review for Kyprolis® in Relapsed Patients
There was good news for myeloma patients this week as the FDA accepted the supplemental New Drug Application of Kyprolis (carfilzomib) for treatment by injection. The application applies to those with relapsed myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. As part of the acceptance, the FDA granted Kyprolis priority review with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of July 26, 2015. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - April 2, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) Announces Another Successful Myeloma Awareness Month (#MAM)
The IMF launched March as “Myeloma Awareness Month” in 2009. Fueled by the organization's key message that “knowledge is power,” the IMF this year spread information about the disease through local community events, social media campaigns, story sharing, and official proclamations. Advocates across 28 states, cities, and counties obtained proclamations, and Representative Brian Higgins (D-NY) introduced a federal resolution to recognize March 2015 as “National Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month.” (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - March 31, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Ixazomib Clinical Trial Seeking Myeloma Patients
Takeda Oncology is recruiting myeloma patients to participate in a multicenter, open-label study of ixazomib, its investigational oral proteasome inhibitor. Eligible patients have not received prior systemic treatment for myeloma and are ineligible for high-dose therapy stem cell transplantation due to age or comorbid diseases, or have relapsed/refractory myeloma. Ixazomib was granted orphan drug designation in myeloma in both the U.S. and Europe in 2011, and is the first oral proteasome inhibitor to enter Phase 3 clinical trials. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - March 31, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) Secures the Introduction of a Federal Resolution Recognizing March 2015 as “National Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month”
Myeloma Awareness Month is wrapping up this year with the introduction of a national resolution (H. Res. 174) to designate March as "National Myeloma Awareness Month.” The resolution would add to the immense successes of patient advocates across the country who have already received proclamations for their individual states, counties, and cities. The resolution sponsor, Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY), has been a strong ally of the IMF for the past several years, and has also been the lead sponsor of the Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act since its inception in 2009. The IMF thanks Rep. Higgins for his leadership, a...
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - March 27, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Improving the Immune System in Myeloma Patients
Dr. Brian Durie writes this week about emerging monoclonal antibody therapies that show promise in boosting the immune system in myeloma patients. As myeloma evolves, it reduces normal plasma cells and often reduces the ability for a patient to fight infections. In order for the immune system to bounce back, the myeloma cells must be killed. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - March 26, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
