Myeloma Patients Europe has participating along with 13 European Patient organisations in the statement calling on European institutions to adopt appropriate measures to incorporate meaningful involvement of patients in EU cooperation on health technology assessment (HTA). Continue reading
European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), Munich (Germany) – Some European countries take more than twice as long as others to reach health technology assessment (HTA) decisions to reimburse new cancer drugs following their approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The average decision time is longer than one year in some countries, according to a study presented at ESMO 2018 Congress. Continue reading
Complementary and alternative medicines are used by 1 in 2 patients before and during cancer treatments, however they are frequently associated with drug-drug interactions, a estudy at ESMO 2018 report. Continue reading
At the recent European Haematology Association (EHA) Annual Congress 2018, Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE) and Video Journal of Hematological Oncology (VJHemOnc), filmed an interview with Dr Michael Hudecek (University of Würzburg, Germany) on the Horizon2020 CARAMBA project. The video was recorded in English and has now been translated into four additional languages: French, German, Spanish and Italian. Continue reading
Daratumumab (Darzalex®), an immunotherapy drug for the treatment of myeloma, has been granted marketing authorisation (e.g. a licence) by the European Commission. It is specifically licensed for use in combination with bortezomib (Velcade®), melphalan and prednisolone (D-VMP) in newly diagnosed myeloma patients who are ineligible for high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. Continue reading
One of the challenges haematologists face in myeloma is how to treat frailer patients. Whilst the availability of proteasome inhibitors (PIs) (e.g. bortezomib [Velcade®], ixazomib [Ninlaro®] and carfilzomib [Kyprolis®]) and immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs) (e.g. thalidomide, lenalidomide [Revlimid®] and pomalidomide [Imnovid®]), have significantly improved the outcomes of myeloma patients in the last decade, frailer patients have shown a lesser improvement. This is mainly due to the toxicity some drugs can have in frailer patients, which may lead to subsequent early discontinuation of treatment. Continue reading
It is with great sadness that we inform you that our friend and colleague Wiesława Adamiec, President of Fundacja Carita (Poland), has passed away. Continue reading
A new scale for tumour DNA mutations which will simplify and standardise choices for targeted cancer treatment has been agreed by leading cancer specialists in Europe and North America, according to the announcement the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) has done today. Continue reading
The contribution of patients and patient experts provides tangible value to other stakeholders and society that should be fairly compensated. Currently, there is no transparent and consistent system for financial compensation in place that reflects the level of individual contribution and expertise. Continue reading
Daratumumab (Darzalex®), an immunotherapy drug for the treatment of myeloma, has received a positive recommendation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). Continue reading