2023: Year in Review

On behalf of the Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE) Board of Directors and staff, we extend a heartfelt thank you to our members, sponsors and stakeholders for your dedication and inspiration.   This year, MPE achieved significant milestones made possible by our collective efforts, and we are thrilled to present our Year in Review 2023. We hope you’ll take a moment to read this report, which highlights our key accomplishments focused on empowering, educating and supporting the patient…

ESMO 2023 | Patient Advocacy Track highlights challenges in access, caregiver support and digitalisation

35.000 people attended the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Annual Congress, held from 20 to 24 October in Madrid, Spain, where the latest data in oncology research and development was presented. Along with several updates, mostly in solid tumours, different advocacy topics were discussed as part of the Patient Advocacy Track. Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE) was represented by Kate Morgan, MPE Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Lise-lott Eriksson, MPE president who participated in one of…

EMA CHMP gives positive recommendation to elranatamab for the treatment of relapsed or refractory myeloma

On October 12, 2023, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) gave positive recommendation for the conditional marketing authorisation of elranatamab, also known as Elrexfio. The treatment will be offered as a 40 mg/ml solution for injection. Its active component, elranatamab, is a bispecific monoclonal antibody that targets the CD3 receptor on T cells and BCMA on plasma cells, including those in malignant multiple myeloma. Elranatamab is…

A statement from MPE on the situation in Israel and Gaza

MPE and our community are extremely saddened by the ongoing and devastating events in Israel and Gaza. The death of hundreds of innocent people is completely unacceptable, and our deepest sympathy goes out to everyone affected. We know our members are continuing to provide support to patients and their families during this difficult time. All myeloma patients and caregivers in Israel who need support or have concerns should contact Varda Shoham from AMEN at:

MPE attending International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting in Athens

Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE) is attending the International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting in Athens, Greece, from 27 – 30 September. This year, the IMS meeting corresponds with European Myeloma Day, allowing us to engage with the whole myeloma community to mark this important event.   The IMS Annual Meeting brings together myeloma experts from research, nursing, clinical and patient advocacy backgrounds to discuss the latest knowledge and developments in the field. It is a…

EMA CHMP recommends non-renewal of marketing authorisation for Blenrep®

On September 15, 2023, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended non-renewal of marketing authorisation for belamaf mafadotin (Blenrep®).   Blenrep is currently approved for myeloma patients who have received at least four previous treatments and have stopped responding to at least one proteasome inhibitor (e.g., bortezomib), one immunomodulatory agent (e.g., lenalidomide), and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody (e.g., daratumumab), and whose cancer has worsened since…

EMA recommends expansion of melphalan flufenamide (Pepaxti®) marketing authorisation

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted a positive opinion on the application for an extended marketing authorisation (i.e. a license) for melphalan flufenamide (Pepaxti), also called melflufen.   Melflufen, in combination with dexamethasone,  is currently licenced in the EU for treating myeloma patients who have received at least three prior lines of therapy and are refractory to at least one proteasome inhibitor (such as…

European Commission approves talquetamab for the treatment of relapsed and refractory myeloma

The European Commission (EC) has granted conditional marketing approval to talquetamab (Talvey®) for the treatment of relapsed and refractory myeloma. These patients must have undergone at least three prior treatments, including an immunomodulatory agent (such as lenalidomide or pomalidomide), a proteasome inhibitor (such as bortezomib or carfilzomib), and an anti-CD38 antibody (such as daratumumab). Additionally, they must have demonstrated disease progression on their most recent therapy.   Talquetamab is a bispecific antibody which targets the…

FDA approves elranatamab (ELREXFIO™) for relapsed or refractory myeloma

On August 14, 2023, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to elranatamab-bcmm (Elrexfio, Pfizer, Inc.).   According to the FDA, elranatamab is indicated for adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor (such as bortezomib, carfilzomib or ixazomib), an immunomodulatory agent (such as lenalidomide, pomalidomide or thalidomide), and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody (such as daratumumab or isatuximab).…