Daniel Auclair, MD, Chief Scientific Officer of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), discusses the foundation’s history and what they are currently doing to progress multiple myeloma research.
Multiple myeloma is a rare blood cancer associated with uncontrolled growth of plasma cells. Abnormal plasma cells – also known as myeloma cells – interfere with the production of healthy blood cells in the bone marrow. Myeloma cells also produce inactive clones of abnormal antibodies that may negatively affect the bones and kidneys. Symptoms of multiple myeloma may include: bone pain (particularly in the chest and spine), frequent infections, weakness or numbness in the legs, fatigue, confusion, excessive thirst, and constipation. While the disease is treatable, relapses are common and some patients are refractory to first line treatment.
As Dr. Auclair explains, treatment options for multiple myeloma have come a long way in the last thirty years. However, relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma is still a serious concern, as is the fact that standard of care is often the wait-and-watch method. The MMRF is a nonprofit organization focused on accelerating the cure for multiple myeloma.
One major project the MMRF has been responsible for is the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC) which brings together the best cancer centers in the world to accelerate clinical trials in multiple myeloma and drive results for patients. A major undertaking of the consortium is the CoMMpass study, a longitudinal observational study that has over 1000 multiple myeloma patients. The goal of the study is to map the genomic profile of patients with newly diagnosed active multiple myeloma to clinical outcomes to develop a more complete understanding of patient responses to treatments. Through the CoMMpass study, it was discovered that 3/4 of multiple myeloma patients had actionable alterations which led to the MMRF’s myeloma-developing regimens using genomics (MyDRUG) master protocol which is aimed at developing new regimens for multiple myeloma treatment.
In order to make precision medicine a reality, the MMRF has also developed CureCloud, an innovative at-home genomic testing program. One of the major benefits of CureCloud is that it makes genomic testing more accessible. Previously, the kind of genomic testing required to develop precision medicine would be mostly accessible to those living in larger cities and who had the resources to visit a larger cancer center. CureCloud reduces this obstacle. Additionally, CureCloud may be able to help researchers learn more about predictors of multiple myeloma and how patients are responding in real-time to treatment regimens.
Finally, Dr Aucair explains what the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the multiple myeloma population. Firstly, it has reminded researchers and physicians about the importance of accessible treatment options. It has also shed light on the disparities within the multiple myeloma population. For instance, African Americans are three times more likely than European Americans to get multiple myeloma and they tend to get it at a younger age. Finally, it has been shown that up to 1/4 of multiple myeloma patients have little to no stereological immune response to COVID-19 vaccinations. The MMRF, using CureCloud and other collaboration projects like Impact, are working hard to find the best course of action for multiple myeloma patients.
To learn more about multiple myeloma and other rare cancers, visit checkrare.com/diseases/cancers/