The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society currently invests more than $30 million across many studies aimed at improving the lives of patients with multiple myeloma
Rye Brook, N.Y., August 05, 2024 – Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are eligible for an autologous stem cell transplant will now have the option of a new drug combination that provided deeper responses and longer remissions in clinical trials.
On July 30, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved daratumumab and hyaluronidase (Darzalex Faspro®) as part of a four-drug combination for induction and consolidation treatment.
Induction is the first treatment a patient with multiple myeloma receives. The goal is to kill as many cancer cells as possible and give patients a better opportunity to receive a stem cell transplant. Consolidation, more frequently referred to as maintenance treatment, is given to patients after induction therapy is completed.
“The main goal with treating multiple myeloma is to reduce the disease burden, prevent disease progression, and give patients longer remission times that preserve their quality of life,” says Lee Greenberger, PhD, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Chief Scientific Officer. “Approvals like this are important for keeping the disease at bay for as long as possible. The longer we can keep the patient from needing more treatments, the better.”
Investing in Myeloma
There are approximately 35,000 new cases of multiple myeloma each year in the U.S.
Although there is no cure for multiple myeloma, the percentage of patients alive 5 years after diagnosis has continued to increase over the past few decades. Because of newer therapies and better combinations, more than 60% of patients with this disease live for at least 5 years.
“We have come a long way from the 6%, 5-year survival rate in the 1950s,” says Dr. Greenberger. “This is particularly exciting as LLS celebrates its 75th anniversary and marks the incredible progress that has been made in the treatment of this blood cancer.”
LLS currently has more than $30 million in funding across more than 25 myeloma research projects led by elite physician-scientists and researchers around the world. This includes research looking at improving treatment response rates across all classes of therapeutics, better understanding the mechanisms behind the growth of this disease and resistance to existing therapies, and so much more.
“While multiple myeloma is not curable, LLS has identified so much exciting research that we believe has the potential to reshape how this disease is treated in the future.”
If you or a loved one need personalized disease, treatment or support information, you can contact one of our Information Specialists: https://www.lls.org/support-resources/information-specialists