Weekly Spotlight - 03.10.24

In the News

Autumn 2024 Vaccination Programmes for Myeloma Patients

The UK Government has announced the autumn 2024 vaccination programmes, including flu vaccines, COVID-19 boosters, and for the first time, RSV vaccinations for certain groups. Key details include:

RSV Vaccine: Available from 1 September 2024 for adults turning 75 and those aged 75-79. The non-live vaccine, Abrysvo, is safe for immunocompromised individuals like myeloma patients. Contact your GP if eligible but not notified.
Shingles Vaccine: Shingrix, suitable for myeloma patients, remains available for those over 50 with weakened immune systems and all over 65. Two doses are required.
Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines: Starting 3 October 2024, these vaccines are crucial for myeloma patients and their households. Contact your GP if not invited.
Vaccines are essential for protection. For more information, contact the Myeloma Infoline or your healthcare team.

Largest Myeloma Trial Transforms Treatment and Offers Hope

The Myeloma XI trial, the largest-ever myeloma study, has significantly transformed treatment by establishing that long-term lenalidomide maintenance therapy can deepen and prolong remissions for patients eligible for high-dose therapy and stem cell transplants. This led to NICE approving lenalidomide maintenance, a milestone that would not have been achieved without the trial.

Chief Investigator Professor Graham Jackson highlights the critical role of teamwork among doctors, nurses, the pharmaceutical industry, and universities, as well as the invaluable contribution of patients and their families. Myeloma UK's support was pivotal, promoting the study and aiding its infrastructure, leading to groundbreaking insights into myeloma genetics and the development of further trials like OPTIMUM MUK nine.

Myeloma UK Partners with Race Equality Foundation to Tackle Health Inequalities

Myeloma UK has partnered with the Race Equality Foundation to tackle health inequalities in black communities. This collaboration aims to gather insights from those with lived experience to raise awareness and reduce the impact of myeloma, which is more common among black people.

Maureen Martin, diagnosed with myeloma in 2017, emphasises the importance of recognising symptoms like bone fractures and chronic pain. This partnership will involve people at every stage, aiming to improve awareness and outcomes. Increased education and awareness can lead to earlier diagnoses, potentially saving lives.

Bone-Related Problems in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma can cause significant bone pain and fractures due to tumours in the bone marrow. These tumours can lead to osteolytic lesions, which are soft spots in the bones. Treatments include metal rods, plates, and braces to support weakened bones, as well as bone-modifying agents like bisphosphonates and RANKL inhibitors to slow bone loss.

Radiation therapy is used to shrink bone tumours, reducing pain and allowing new bone to form. For back pain, minimally invasive procedures like vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty can stabilise the spine. Pain management includes analgesics, nerve damage drugs, and integrative therapies such as massage and acupuncture. Always consult your care team for personalised advice.

Understanding Multiple Myeloma: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Caregivers

The Myeloma Infoline, established in 1997, offers confidential, unlimited support and has achieved quality accreditation for 20 years. Staffed by experienced Myeloma Information Specialists, including nurses and doctors, the service provides emotional support, practical advice, and well-researched responses via phone and email.

The Helplines Partnership accreditation process, lasting six months, involves detailed reports, site visits, and feedback reviews to ensure best practices. This accreditation reassures users of high-quality service and offers recommendations for improvement. Future plans include an on-demand interpretation service to enhance accessibility for non-English speakers.

Feedback from users highlights the Infoline's impact: "I feel vastly more confident," and "Your information and compassionate email has been very helpful." This underscores the service's role in providing essential support to those affected by myeloma.

Myeloma Infoline Celebrates 20 Years of Quality Accreditation

Sanofi's Sarclisa (isatuximab) has received FDA approval for use in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant. This approval is based on the positive results from the IMROZ trial, which demonstrated a 40% reduction in disease progression or death when Sarclisa was combined with standard treatments.

The trial showed that patients treated with Sarclisa/VRd had a median progression-free survival (PFS) not reached after 59.7 months, compared to 54.3 months with VRd alone. Additionally, 74.7% of patients in the Sarclisa/VRd group achieved a complete response, highlighting the therapy's potential to significantly improve outcomes for NDMM patients.

AI Predicts Multiple Myeloma Evolution with Precision

An international study led by the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) and the 12 de Octubre Hospital in Madrid has utilised AI to predict the evolution of multiple myeloma in patients. This groundbreaking research, published in the Blood Cancer Journal, marks the first time AI has been used to forecast treatment responses, potentially allowing 30% of patients to avoid maintenance therapies and their associated side effects.

The study analysed 482 patients and identified minimal residual disease and clonal diversity as key factors in predicting outcomes. According to Joaquín Martínez, head of the Hematological Tumor Research Unit, this AI-driven approach offers a more accurate prediction, enabling better clinical decisions and improving patient prognosis.