The 62nd annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) does not officially start until 12.4.2020. However, the multiple myeloma experts are always ahead of the curve, having the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) “breakfast” meeting 12.2.2020. This year, the meeting was again led by Dr. Brian Durie and Dr. Vincent Rajkumar.
The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) created the IMWG to bring together physicians and researchers from around the world to collaborate on everything myeloma. Members meet throughout the year to work in subgroups on specific topics like bone disease, preventing infection, and renal disease. Once a year, at the ASH meeting, all members who can attend come together to discuss the latest research findings, practice guidelines, and plan for future topics of focus. This year, there were more than 250 people “attending” the meeting via Zoom virtual platform.
The IMWG members shared 7 abstracts that will be presented at the ASH meeting. Just so you know, there is no “spoiler alert” coming out of this blog. There is an embargo on information that can be shared before the meeting. You will have to wait until data is officially shared at the ASH meeting.
1 – #551 Tourmaline Study Update on IRD vs Placebo-RD for Transplant Ineligible NDMM Presented by Dr. Thierry Facon
https://ativsoftware.com/appinfo.php?page=Session&project=ASH20&server=eventpilot.us&id=137007
2 – #177 CARTITUDE-1 (cilta-cel) in RRMM, update presented by Dr. Deepu Madduri
https://ativsoftware.com/appinfo.php?page=Session&project=ASH20&server=eventpilot.us&id=136307
3 – #131 CAR-T CRB-401: Idecabtagene Vicleucel (ide-cel, bb2121) in RRMM, update presented by Dr. Yi Lin RRMM
https://ativsoftware.com/appinfo.php?page=Session&project=ASH20&server=eventpilot.us&id=134324
4 – #180 BCMA Bispecific, Teclistamab, both IV and SQ dosing, in RRMM, presented by Dr. Amrita Krishna
https://ativsoftware.com/appinfo.php?page=Session&project=ASH20&server=eventpilot.us&id=138831
5 – #290 Talquetamab GPRC5D, bi-specific therapy in RRMM, presented by Dr. Ajai Chari
https://ativsoftware.com/appinfo.php?page=Session&project=ASH20&server=eventpilot.us&id=133873
6 – #721 Biallelic loss of BCMA triggers resistance to Anti-BCMA CAR-T Cell therapy in MM. Loss and mutation of 16p, where BCMA is located. Presented by Dr. Nikhil Munshi
https://ativsoftware.com/appinfo.php?page=Session&project=ASH20&server=eventpilot.us&id=139040
7 – #292 BFCR4350A, Bi-specific therapy (FcRH5xCD3) in RRMM, presented by Dr. Adam Cohen
https://ativsoftware.com/appinfo.php?page=Inthtml&project=ASH20&server=eventpilot.us&id=136985P
In short, there were 2 studies on CAR-T therapy, 3 on Bi-specific therapies, 6 of the 7 were on relapsed MM, and an important study on what might cause resistance to the BCMA target so many of the new, immune therapies are directed to.
After the abstracts were presented, each with robust Q&A, members reviewed recent and pending publications. These cover a broad range of topics such as diagnostic tests, side effect management and defining subtypes of MM. This was followed by a discussion of “What next?” Another robust discussion with many good ideas for future focus in multiple myeloma.
There was a lot of information presented, but what I took away from the high-level discussions is that there is interest in responders who have extra-medullary disease (EMD), high risk disease and relapsed MM. Also quite apparent, as the presenters shared specific details of each patient who participated in the clinical trials, is that those who participate are so much more than a statistic, a number. This is personal to the investigator who conduct the trial, as well as the people participating in the trial. This personal investment is what drives them to never stop, to ask “What next?”, and continue in this very important work towards curing #myeloma.
To learn the final analysis of these abstracts and so many more from #ASH20, follow the SGLs via many social media options:
Blogs: IMF ASH 2020 Blogs – ASH 2020 Blogs
Follow the SGLT on Twitter and Facebook. Trending #’s will include #ASH20 #MMSM, #myeloma, and the SGLT will be contributing to these feeds.
Follow members of the SGLT:
| Jack Aiello | @JackMAiello | Support Group Leader, SF Bay |
| Sheri Baker | @blondie1746 | Support Group Leader, Boise, ID |
| Yelak Biru | NorthTxMSG | Support Group Leader, NW Arkansas |
| Cindy Chmielewski | @MyelomaTeacher | Support Group Leader, Philadelphia |
| John DeFlice | @JohnDe1MYELOMA | Support Group Leader, Sante Fe, NM |
| Linda Huguelet | @LindaMYELOMA | Support Group Leader, Chattanooga, TN |
| Teresa Miceli | @IMFnurseMYELOMA | Support Group Leader, Rochester, MN |
| Jim Omel | @IMFjimMYELOMA | Support Group Leader, Grand Island, NE |
| Valarie Traynham | @MyelomaValarie | Support Group Leader, Aurora, IL |
| Michael Tuohy | @IMFmikeMyeloma | Support Group Leader, Prospect, CT |
| Robin Tuohy | @IMFSupport | IMF Vice President, Support Groups |
| Tiffany Williams | @MyelomaHope | Support Group Leader, Charleston & Orangeburg, SC |
You can find me on Twitter @IMFnurseMyeloma
Teresa Miceli, RN BSN OCN
SGL and Nurse Liaison