Jack Aiello | The IMF at ASH 2021

ASH Day 3: It’s a Wrap!

Dec 14, 2021 | Jack Aiello

December 13, 2021 - Today was the final day of ASH but it was still full of information, and to be honest, I’m a bit brain-fried. The day began with the IMWG Conference series (with the replay available on the IMF website). I jotted a few quotes that I found interesting: IMF Chairman of the Board Dr. Brian G.M. Durie noted that he expects “mass spec will be rolled out in the next year or so.” We’ll see it as a blood test called "Exent" from The Binding Site, which designed the...

ASH Day 2: Which CAR to Hitch a Ride with?

Dec 13, 2021 | Jack Aiello

December 12, 2021 - Today began with watching a few presentations that focused on the epidemiology of myeloma patients. For example, abstract 400 examined COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness for multiple myeloma (MM) patients associated with the VA. They examined nearly 7,000 MM patients and compared COVID-19 results with vaccinated and unvaccinated patients, as well as compared these with non-MM patients. Not surprisingly, they concluded that vaccines were an effective strategy for preventing...

ASH 2021 Day 1: From Iceland to Bispecifics

Dec 11, 2021 | Jack Aiello

Dec 11, 2021 - The day began at 3:30 a.m. PST for the privilege of being able to attend the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) meeting. The IMWG has over 250 myeloma specialists who meet twice a year. The agenda included a review of current projects and a discussion of possible proposals to specifically produce guidelines for myeloma treatment. For example, in 2021, guidelines were produced for redefining plasma cell leukemia as 5% circulating plasma cell, infection prevention (very...

Symposium Day: Insightful Comments from Myeloma Specialists

Dec 11, 2021 | Jack Aiello

The Friday before the official start of ASH is always considered as Symposium Day. Symposiums typically last a couple of hours and involve several myeloma expert doctors discussing patient cases and various treatment options. Patient cases can vary from smoldering to newly diagnosed, to early and late relapse, and along with them — the consideration of risk factors and comorbidities. These meetings are sponsored by advocacy organizations: the International Myeloma Foundation, Healthtree...

Pre-ASH Blog: Hybrid Meeting (Virtual for Me), Exciting Updates

Dec 7, 2021 | Jack Aiello

There is no other single conference where so much information is presented about myeloma. Information about so many topics is provided:  how to treat MM patients in various stages; results of phase II & III trials which may indicate upcoming FDA approvals; treatment considerations of MGUS and smoldering MM patients; pre-clinical research focusing on myeloma targets and cell understanding; and more. This year, the 63rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting will be a...