As the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic unfolded in 2020, Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE) became aware that the healthcare, treatment, and lives of myeloma and AL amyloidosis patients and their families were impacted by new health policies and national restrictions related to COVID-19.
Last March, a number of hematology patient associations, including Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE), coordinated by the Acute Leukemia Advocates Network, wrote a letter to the American Society of Hematology (ASH) that patient advocates need free access to the ASH Annual meeting. The message was heard and non-profit patient advocates (employees and volunteers) from registered patient organisations can now apply to attend the 63rd ASH Annual Meeting in December.
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CAR-T is a form of immunotherapy recently approved for the treatment of myeloma in the United States and Europe. While the process of manufacturing and administrating this treatment as well as side effects can be challenging, results of clinical trials have been promising in myeloma. Continue reading
The European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorisation for the expanded use of daratumumab (Darzalex®) subcutaneous (SC) formulation in two new indications. The first authorisation of these new indications is for the use of daratumumab SC in combination with bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (D-VCd) for the treatment of adults with newly diagnosed systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis. This approval makes this daratumumab-based regimen the first approved therapy for AL amyloidosis in Europe. Continue reading
In early 2020, we began to hear about a virus called SARS-CoV-2 (COVID- 19). No one could imagine that this virus would result in a global pandemic with huge changes in our daily life and, most important, in our healthcare. Continue reading
The phase 3 MAIA study evaluated D-Rd versus Rd in 737 patients who were ineligible for high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. The primary analysis of MAIA demonstrated a 44% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death after treatment with D-Rd compared with Rd alone. At a median follow-up of almost 5 years (56.2 months), we now report the pre-specified interim overall survival analysis of MAIA according to the results presented at the European of Hematology Association (EHA) annual meeting, held virtually from from 9 to 17 June. Continue reading
The European Hematology Association’s annual congress (EHA 2021) is one of the most important haematology congresses in Europe and it is taking place from 9 to 17 June.
Results from Part 1 of the CASSIOPEIA phase-3 study compared the addition of daratumumab to bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (D-VTd) induction/consolidation with VTd alone in transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed myeloma has been presented. Continue reading
Today, Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE) and KU Leuven present findings from a study at the European Haematology Association 2021 congress (EHA 2021), which aimed to understand which characteristics of treatment myeloma patients find most important. This study illustrates that patients focus not only on treatment efficacy, but also value a reduction of myeloma-related symptoms and side effects. The study is part of a wider project, called PREFER, examining how to represent patients in drug development. PREFER is a public-private collaborative research project under the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI). Continue reading
From 9 to 17 June, the European Hematology Association’s annual congress (EHA 2021 Virtual), will be held. This is one of the most important haematology congresses in Europe. Continue reading
Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE) held the webinar “COVID-19 vaccines for myeloma patients: what you need to know” last Thursday, 29 April, to review the most recent updates on the approved COVID-19 vaccines in Europe and how they affect myeloma and AL amyloidosis patients. Continue reading