IMF's Asian Myeloma Network Will Provide Access to Pomalidomide in Asia
Access to new drugs outside of the US is frequently delayed by several years following FDA approval in the US, and this delay has a significant negative impact for international myeloma patients. However, a big step has just been taken thanks to the IMF's Asian Myeloma Network (AMN), which has successfully negotiated with the Celgene Corporation to establish an individual or “named” patient access program for pomalidomide in Asia. "This is a model through which patients can gain early access to new drugs which can be literally lifesaving!" IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie writes in a new blog. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - January 29, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Updated IMF Multiple Myeloma Patient Handbook available to Download
One of the most daunting aspects of being diagnosed with myeloma is learning about á and understanding á an unfamiliar disease that is quite complicated. The updated 2015 edition of the IMF's Patient Handbook provides an excellent overview of myeloma. Prepared by Dr. Durie, it focuses on what to do when myeloma is first discovered, the tests you really need, initial treatment options, and supportive care and how to get it. The Patient Handbook is meant to furnish you with the tools to understand and better manage your myeloma. Your caregivers, family, and friends may also find the information useful. CLICK HERE t...
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - January 26, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
New IMWG Guidelines on the Role of MRI in Myeloma
This week, the IMF’s research division, the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), published guidelines in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on the use of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) in myeloma. The IMWG guidelines recommend that all patients with smoldering or asymptomatic myeloma undergo whole-body MRI, or spine and pelvic MRI if whole body MRI is not available. This recommendation is in sync with the IMWG’s “New Diagnostic Criteria” for myeloma, published in November in the Lancet Oncology, in which the presence of more than one MRI lesion is identified as a basis for considering startin...
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - January 22, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
In case you missed it, click here for the Best of ASH 2014 replay
Join Dr. Brian G.M. Durie as he discusses the latest news from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Conference which recently convened in San Francisco on December 6-8th.
The ASH annual meeting is the largest global blood cancer meeting, featuring over 3,000 scientific abstracts, and was attended by more than 20,000 medical professionals. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - January 16, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Where Do New Myeloma Drugs Come From?
This week, IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie provides expert insight on the development of drugs for myeloma treatment in his blog. He answers the important questions: “What is the driving force behind new drug development in myeloma?” and “Do we expect new drugs to keep coming?” Dr. Durie writes about the development of myeloma drugs available today and provides insight on where drug development may be headed in the future. READ MORE in his blog. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - January 15, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Click here to view slides for the Best of ASH 2014 teleconference
Join Dr. Brian G.M. Durie as he discusses the lastest news from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Conference which recently convened in San Francisco on December 6-8th.
The ASH annual meeting is the largest global blood cancer meeting, featuring over 3,000 scientific abstracts, and was attended by more than 20,000 medical professionals. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - January 13, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
What's new with the Black Swan Research Initiative(R)?
In the first episode of the new year, Dr. Brian Durie of the IMF looks back on the progress of a signature project, the Black Swan Research Initiative® to discuss major accomplishments in 2014. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - January 12, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Is a Cancer Diagnosis Just a Matter of Bad Luck?
A mathematical analysis of cancer statistics recently published in the journal Science is generating a lot of attention. The study suggests that many cases of cancer may be the result of random cell mutations or bad biological luck, rather than genetics, behavior, or environmental factors. The research here could lead some to argue that cancer can't be prevented. But might that attitude be dangerous? IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie weighs in with a new blog post on what all of this means. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - January 8, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Best of ASH 2014 - What Patients Need to Know
Join Dr. Brian G.M. Durie as he discusses the lastest news from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Conference which recently convened in San Francisco on December 6-8th.
The ASH annual meeting is the largest global blood cancer meeting, featuring over 3,000 scientific abstracts, and was attended by more than 20,000 medical professionals. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - January 7, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Help IMF Reach $50,000 in Mambo for Myeloma Donations
The #MamboforMyeloma initiative has asked patients, caregivers, doctors, friends, family members, and groups to film themselves dancing and share a donation link for the cause. You don't have to be an amazing dancer; the spirit is what is important. To date, more than $30,000 has been raised for the IMF through this campaign, and now we are asking you to keep it going. We hope to hit the $50,000 mark by the end of the year. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - December 22, 2014 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Two New Sponsors for the Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act
The IMF Advocacy Team has scored a major victory by adding two new cosponsors to one of our federal bills, HR 1801: The Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act of 2013. The two new sponsors are Rep. Earl Blumenauer from Oregon's 3rd district, and Rep. George Butterfield from North Carolina's 1st district. In total, this brings the number of cosponsors up to 92! We thank both Reps. Blumenauer and Butterfield for their support, and with it we are one step closer to oral parity on the national level. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - December 21, 2014 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
IMF & Support Group Team Members Influence Social Media @ #ASH14
The IMF and its support group team members ruled the social media scene during ASH by sharing the latest updates on Twitter, Facebook, and blogs. The social media analytics company Symplur reports that IMF's social media team members were among the Top Ten by number of tweets during the ASH meeting, an impressive feat considering that more than 20,000 people attended this major medical conference! See #IMFASH14 on Twitter to review the social media team's tweets and CLICK HERE to read all blog posts. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - December 12, 2014 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
IMF & Support Group Team Members Influence Social Media @ #ASH14
The IMF and its support group team members ruled the social media scene during ASH by sharing the latest updates on Twitter, Facebook, and blogs. The social media analytics company Symplur reports that IMF's social media team members were among the Top Ten by number of tweets during the ASH meeting, an impressive feat considering that more than 20,000 people attended this major medical conference! See #IMFASH14 on Twitter to review the social media team's tweets and CLICK HERE to read all blog posts. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - December 12, 2014 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Dr. Durie Reviews Key ASH 2014 Data
The 56th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting featured more than 3,000 presentations, with more than 850 focused on myeloma. IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie, who moderated several important panels during the ASH meeting, reviews the key myeloma presentations and explains how they fit into the evolving treatment and diagnostic landscapes. CLICK HERE to read Dr. Durie's blog. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - December 12, 2014 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
IMWG Conference Series Debate: Now Divided by Topic
The IMF capped off the ASH meeting with Making Sense of Treatment: The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Conference Series. Dr. Durie moderated and he was joined by IMWG members Dr. Joseph Mikhael, Dr. Ola Landgren, and Dr. Antonio Palumbo to tackle the key questions currently facing myeloma doctors and patients in light of the latest research presented at ASH. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - December 8, 2014 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
