TRAINING and EDUCATION
Rather than solely preparing individuals for
positions within the traditional academic model,
as might have sufficed earlier in my career, I have
come to appreciate that success for a trainee can
come in many different forms. I have trained indi-
viduals who have remained in academia, entered
industry, started private practices, worked as
administrators, or even started companies.
Given my own varied career history, I encourage
trainees to take chances with their career choices.
After my attempt at industry, I returned as an
academic administrator but eventually
shed my administrative role to pursue
my real loves: laboratory-based and
clinical research. It took me time to
figure this out; trainees should take
time to find the area where they can
flourish.
What lessons would you pass on
to fellow mentors?
I would advise them to have an open
mind when interacting with trainees –
don’t be prematurely judgmental.
Mentors should take their roles
seriously. My trainees have been and
continue to be uniformly talented
individuals who have placed their ca-
reers in my hands; our fates will always
be linked. If you choose to take on this
serious responsibility, you need to be
available on a day-to-day basis.
Our goals as mentors should not be
just to have more trainees in our pro-
grams or laboratories, but to develop
trainees to their fullest potential and
move them on to successful careers.
We also have the important
responsibility of making the train-
ing period fun. A few laughs lighten
things up and lead to a healthier
environment.
What has mentoring taught
you?
Mentoring has taught me to be re-
spectful of the choices trainees make.
Trainees’ goals and objectives might
not overlap with yours, but you can
learn a lot by just listening.
I also have gained an appreciation
for the tremendous contributions
that foreign-trained physicians and
scientists make to the hematology
community. These are individuals who
make enormous personal sacrifices to
come to our country; I am inspired by
their work ethic, enthusiasm, intellect,
and perseverance. Working with these
individuals has been an enriching
experience, and I take special pride in
their successes.
Finally, I have learned that every-
one at some time needs a vacation to
recharge. This may seem obvious, but
I have seen too many individuals burn
out without these vital breaks.
didn’t fully appreciate the complexity of emotions
that trainees encountered during the period we
worked together. I was trained in an era when the
senior faculty was largely revered – and behaved in
a dictatorial fashion at times. That just does not cut
it in today’s world. Showing kindness and con-
sideration is a more effective strategy than being
heavy-handed.
Trainees’ outside commitments are growing –
they are often starting families, for instance – and
I have learned that individuals are most successful
when they are given the flexibility to accommo-
date both their day-to-day challenges at home and
their responsibilities at work.
Unpredictable research funding or compensa-
tion for health-care delivery can make it difficult
for trainees to confidently make long-term plans.
Mentors should serve as resources to assure them
that there is a path forward. I continue to believe
that the good guys win in the end!
NOW ENROLLING
A Phase 3 Randomized, Controlled, Open-label Study of Selinexor, Bortezomib
and Dexamethasone (SVd) versus Bortezomib and Dexamethasone (Vd) in Patients
with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM)
1:1
Randomization
SVd
SEL: (5 week-cycle): 100mg, once weekly
VEL: (5 week-cycle): 1.3 mg/m 2 on days, 1, 8, 15, 22
DEX: (5 week-cycle): 20 mg, twice weekly
VEL: Cycles 1-8 (3 week-cycle):
Vd
1.3 mg/m 2 on days 1, 4, 8, 11
Cycles ≥9 (5 week-cycle):
1.3 mg/m 2 on days 1, 8, 15, 22
DEX: Cycles 1-8 (3 week-cycle):
20 mg on days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12
Cycles ≥9 (5 week-cycle): 20 mg
on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
• PFS
• ORR
• Safety
SEL: (5 week-cycle):
100mg, once weekly
CROSSOVER FOR PATIENTS
PROGRESSING ON VD
SVd
VEL: (5 week-cycle):
1.3 mg/m 2 ,
on days 1, 8, 15, 22
DEX: (5 week-cycle):
20 mg, twice weekly
• SVd = once weekly, oral selinexor, 40% less Velcade ® , 25% less dex
• Pts with prior Vd allowed on trial*
*Pts must have achieved ≥PR, and completed
proteasome inhibitor therapy at least 60 days prior
OVERALL STUDY WITH CROSSOVER DESIGN:
This open-label study will compare the efficacy and assess the safety of oral selinexor
plus bortezomib (Velcade® once weekly) plus low-dose dexamethasone (SVd) versus
bortezomib (twice weekly) plus low-dose dexamethasone (Vd) in patients with RRMM
who have received 1 to 3 prior anti-multiple myeloma regimens.
• ~360 patients with 1-3 prior lines of therapy
• Both bortezomib-exposed and bortezomib-naïve patients allowed
• SVd Arm: weekly subcutaneous bortezomib dosing QW 4 out of 5 weeks throughout
• Vd Arm: bortezomib subcutaneous BIW 2 out of 3 weeks x 8 cycles then
QW 4 outs of 5 weeks
• For Vd arm, crossover to SVd permitted at confirmed objective progression
• Interim PFS analysis after 75% of the PFS events
• Global trial
What are some unexpected
challenges of mentoring?
In the early phases of my career, I
ASHClinicalNews.org
Selinexor is an investigational agent, and safety
and efficacy have not been established by any agency.