PET/CT Scanning Comes of Age: New IMWG Guidelines Published

Submitted by blackswan on Fri, 04/07/2017 - 03:37

New IMWG guidelines for PET/CT scanning have been published inThe Lancet Oncology. In his blog this week, IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie congratulates Dr. Michele Cavo and his team for their report on this extremely accurate imaging technique, used to establish a diagnosis and to monitor throughout the course of the disease. “The new IMWG guidelines provide a comprehensive review of the current role and optimal uses of FDG PET/ CT scanning,” he writes.

International Myeloma Workshop: the spirit of India and the emerging myeloma community

Submitted by blackswan on Thu, 03/09/2017 - 01:38

The 16th International Myeloma Workshop was held in New Delhi, India March 1-4. This gathering of those interested in myeloma from around the world was definitely a global amalgam. The format included multiple short presentations to encompass the full range of scientific and clinical topics.

Is MRD testing ready for “prime time”?

Submitted by blackswan on Fri, 07/15/2016 - 01:17

The answer is a definite yes and no! Yes, it is now a priority to test for minimal residual disease (MRD) in myeloma clinical trials. However, no, MRD testing is not yet recommended in routine clinical practice.  But I’m pleased to report that we are getting there.

7th Annual International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Summit a big success

Submitted by blackswan on Thu, 06/30/2016 - 21:17

Synergy at the 7th Annual IMWG Summit was the hallmark of this year’s event in Copenhagen, Denmark. Despite very tight scheduling—many key speakers flew directly from the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago—the level of engagement and collaboration was remarkable. “I feel a strong sense of myeloma community,” observed Prof. Philippe Moreau, an IMWG Summit co-chairman. “The top myeloma investigators in the world all working together to achieve common goals.”

ICER blinks and patients benefit

Submitted by blackswan on Thu, 06/16/2016 - 21:47

The much-awaited ICER (Institute for Clinical and Economic Review) Final Report for myeloma relapse therapies, issued on June 9th, is very tentative and less of a report than an admission that they do not have the expertise to adequately assess the complexities of new myeloma therapies. Functioning under a microscope for the last few months, ICER concedes in a statement at the end of the report that a “Fail First” policy is a mistake for myeloma patients. They have also indicated that they have come to understand that each patient is unique and different and that all therapies will be required during the course of multiple relapses. Also, a system which favors use of panobinostat (an HDAC inhibitor with limited efficacy) over daratumumab (an anti-CD38 antibody with 30% activity as a single agent in relapse refractory disease) is clearly flawed.

Pages