Wow! I’m continually amazed by all top-notch doctors and researchers who focus on finding new and better approaches to deal with myeloma – whether in the active multiple myeloma space or the smoldering multiple myeloma space. As I was thrust (unceremoniously, I should add) into the world of myeloma five years ago, I’ve learned about the astonishing advances in myeloma treatment in recent years.
This year, I’m thrilled to be able to play a part in sharing latest research findings. I will be attending the 63rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting virtually, as part of the International Myeloma Foundation’s patient advocacy team.
My focus at ASH will be in the smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) space, where so much research has been happening in recent years. We’ve seen changes in the criteria used to determine progression (i.e., SLiM CRAB), as well as new indicators that help predict risk of progression (i.e., 2/20/20).
Those who were considered as high-risk now have treatment options, often but not necessarily with a trial that didn’t exist 5-10 years ago. Naturally, questions about when to start treatment and what treatments ought to be considered will arise.
As these questions are batted about by experts, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to bring a patient’s perspective and share with you the focus of the latest research along with what the researchers are finding.
A brief search of the 2021 ASH abstracts using “smoldering myeloma” as the keyword resulted in 50+ different sessions. Looking through these abstracts, I organized them, from my non-medical lay perspective, into five (5) categories. I’ve also included a selected presentation title from each category to give you an idea of the research that will be presented:
(a) Prevalence/demographics: Prevalence of Smoldering Multiple Myeloma: Results from the Iceland Screens, Treats, or Prevents Multiple Myeloma (iStopMM) Study.
(b) Risk identification/disease progression: Assessing the Prognostic Utility of the Mayo 2018 and IMWG 2020 Smoldering Multiple Myeloma Risk Stratification Scores When Applied Post Diagnosis.
(c) Treatments/preventing progression: A Phase II Trial of the Combination of Ixazomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone in High-Risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma.
(d) Disease mechanisms: Identification of a Novel Epigenetic Mechanism of MYC Deregulation in Smoldering and Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients.
(e) COVID-19/vaccine related information: Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance and COVID-19: Results from the Population-Based Iceland Screens Treats or Prevents Multiple Myeloma Study (iStopMM).
There are also a handful of what I labeled “educational program sessions,” where smoldering myeloma is included within a session. One example is What’s New in Plasma Cell Disorders? I imagine these educational sessions are designed to highlight the latest research findings and to help bridge the research-to-practice gap for practitioners, but I’m not positive about that. Some also seem to focus in looking to the future, using current findings to help predict where myeloma treatment may be headed.
The research happening in this space is important and valuable to those with SMM. To me, it provides a sense of hope and optimism — two things that can sometimes be in short supply when dealing with the gray area of SMM.
While the standard of care for those diagnosed with SMM has been “watch and wait,” I can’t wait to listen, learn, connect with my IMF teammates, maybe interact with physician researchers (one can hope!), and also share the latest findings with you.
I will do my best, I promise. It is the least I can do. I am continually amazed and humbled by those who have committed so much time, energy, and expertise to advancing our understanding and knowledge of myeloma. Onward to ASH (virtually, of course)!
Jessie Daw, on Twitter: @Daw6Jessie