Welcome to a 3-part series for patients living with blood cancer or its precursor conditions, and their families, including those enrolled in the PROMISE and PCROWD Studies. We hope you will find this information helpful to you. A timecode is provided below for people who may want to view specific sections.
Ask An Expert, Part I: March 30, 2020
Panel Participants
Dr. Irene Ghobrial
Hematologist and Director, Center for Prevention of Progressive Blood Cancers, Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Principal Investigator, PROMISE Study and Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Hearn Jay Cho
Attending Physician, Tisch Cancer Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, Associate Professor, ICAN Mount Sinai School of Medicine; and Chief Medical Officer for MMRF
Mr. Ethan Hawes - Patient Advocate
Multiple Myeloma patient advocate, PROMISE Study Ambassador and Mentor in the MMRF Myeloma Mentor Program
Moderator - Ms. Annie Cowan
Clinical Research Coordinator, Center for Prevention of Progressive Blood Cancers, Dana Farber Cancer Center
Webinar Overview
This first installment of Ask An Expert: Myeloma Panel Series answers patient questions on:
Conditions such as MGUS, smoldering myeloma, waldenstrom macroglobulinemia and multiple myeloma
A multiple myeloma patient who shares his journey from diagnosis, to treatment and patient advocacy.
MM and the COVID-19 pandemic Questions include ways the virus may impact care and treatment for patients with blood cancer including those involved in clinical trials. The challenges and opportunities of clinical trials like the PCROWD and PROMISE Studies due to the COVID-19 pandemic are addressed.
Outline with Timecode:
Understanding Multiple Myeloma and Its Precursor Conditions (5:06)
What are MGUS and smoldering myeloma and how are they different?
PCROWD and PROMISE Studies and how to enroll
Benefit of blood cancer screening and diagnosing early stage myeloma
Who is at increased risk for multiple myeloma?
Treating Multiple Myeloma and Its Precursor Conditions (17:24)
Common treatment plans for patients with MGUS, smoldering myeloma and multiple myeloma
Participating in clinical trials for MGUS and smoldering myeloma patients
Understanding lab results and natural fluctuations
Bone marrow and liquid biopsies
Treating a second cancer while on treatment for multiple myeloma
What is the relationship between multiple myeloma/precursor conditions and having genetic changes in the blood cells?
Patient Perspectives (41:44)
Ethan Hawes shares his multiple myeloma patient journey from diagnosis, to treatment to MMRF Myeloma Mentor and PROMISE Study Ambassador
COVID-19 Pandemic Challenges and Opportunities for Patient with Multiple Myeloma/Precursor Conditions and Clinical Research (57:44)
Staying safe and sane during the COVID-19 pandemic
Managing medical treatment and therapy and getting lab work
Extending clinical trials, use of telemedicine, clinical trial recruitment
Recommendations for patients getting lab work during COVID-19
Multiple myeloma and COVID-19 resources
Using clinical trials to understand COVID-19’s impact on immune systems of people with MGUS and smoldering myeloma
Participant Q&A (1:04)
Treatment recommendations and bio medical marker criteria
Immune suppressions effects of DARA therapy
Bisphosphonate therapy
Statins and impact on progression
COVID-19 pandemic impact on cancer care in Boston
High-risk genetic mutations and treatment therapies
Difference between CAP and LANDA chain molecules and defining free light