Initial data from the ongoing phase I clinical trial of bb21217 (CRB-402) were presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). This is an investigational next-generation anti-BCMA CAR T cell therapy being studied in patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma. Continue reading
A collaboration between patient advocates and pharmaceutical companies usually requires both parties to sign contracts for different engagements such as for advisory, consultancy, collaborative or speaker engagements. These contracts usually cover areas such as confidentiality, intellectual property, data protection, financial compensation and travel expenses. However, according to the Workgroup of European Cancer Patient Advocacy Networks (WECAN), most of these contracts may be difficult for patient advocates to understand or contain inadequate terms. Aiming to create a simpler legal framework, WECAN is conducting a project coordinated by Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE) in collaboration with Patient Focused Medicines Development (PFMD) and legal experts from 12 pharmaceutical companies. The joint initiative has now released guiding principles for reasonable legal agreements that adequately protect both parties while safeguarding independence and individual interests. Continue reading
The annual meeting of the American Society of Haematology (ASH) 2018 starts this week (between 1 and 4 December) in San Diego, California. Continue reading
There are currently a range of novel and chemotherapy drugs and drug combinations available and in development for the treatment of myeloma. However, as myeloma is a complex and individual cancer, not every treatment is suitable for each patient. Continue reading
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