THREE NEW SITES ADDED IN MMRC EXPANSION
T
HE MULTIPLE MYELOMA RESEARCH
CONSORTIUM (MMRC), an elite network of
NEW SITES IN MMRC EXPANSION
institutions conducting clinical trials to advance and
accelerate treatments for patients with multiple myeloma, has
expanded to include the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
(MSKCC), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), and
University of Texas Southwestern Simmons Comprehensive Cancer
Center (UTSW). Founded in 2004, the MMRC is the first collaborative
research model of its kind, facilitating cooperation among member
cancer centers. To date, this prestigious collaboration has performed
more than 73 early-stage clinical trials with more than 35 agents. Memorial Sloan Kettering
Cancer Center
Each new site went through a thorough application and selection
process, ensuring their commitment to full participation in the
consortium phase I and II clinical trials and other research activities.
MSKCC, UAMS, and UTSW will also contribute new patient samples
toward the MMRC Tissue Bank, a collection of bone marrow and
peripheral blood samples from patients with multiple myeloma. UT Southwestern Simmons
Comprehensive Cancer Center
New York, NY
University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences
Little Rock, AR
Dallas, TX
To learn about all 25 MMRC Member Institutions,
please visit themmrf.org/MMRC-Sites.
“We are proud to welcome this exemplary group of academic institutions to the MMRC. They
truly share our commitment to accelerating the development of new, more precise treatments
for multiple myeloma patients.” — Daniel Auclair, PhD, Senior VP of Research, MMRF
CLINICAL TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS
■ ■
Cancer Research Institute
In collaboration with the Cancer
Research Institute and Ludwig Cancer
Institute, the MMRF is supporting a
Phase I trial testing two novel immune
checkpoint antibodies – tremelimumab
and durvalumab – that work by allowing
a patient’s T cells to recognize and
attack myeloma cells. Checkpoint
inhibitors have transformed outcomes
for patients with other cancers, and
this trial is the first to study these
novel treatments. The antibodies
are being tested in conjunction with
autologous stem cell transplants,
and the trial is being conducted by
investigators Hearn Cho, MD, PhD,
from Mount Sinai Health System and
Alexander Lesokhin, MD, from Memorial
Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
ACCEL E RATO R • S U M M ER 2017
■ ■
Nivolumab (Opdivo) in
combination with Revlimid
and Dexamethasone
Irene Ghobrial, MD at the Dana-Farber
Cancer Institute, is conducting a
clinical trial evaluating Opdivo, a new
monoclonal checkpoint antibody therapy
plus Rev-Dex for smoldering multiple
myeloma (SMM) to delay progression
to active mutliple myeloma. The
purpose of this research study is to
determine if the addition of Opdivo,
which is already FDA-approved for other
cancers, may enhance the effectiveness
of Rev-Dex. This trial is now open
at the following MMRC sites: City
of Hope, Emory University Winship
Cancer Institute, the Karmanos Cancer
Institute, the University of Michigan
and the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center.
■ ■
Selinexor
Karyopharm has a number of clinical trials
ongoing to provide data for Selinexor
(Sel), an oral myeloma treatment that
is the first in a new class of treatments.
The STORM trial (Ph 2b, low dose Sel
plus dexamethasone) started in 2015
with enrollment completed in June
2016. STORM is currently undergoing
a 120-patient expansion in penta-
refractory mutliple myeloma – patients
who have taken and become resistant
to Velcade, Kyprolis, Revlimid, Pomalyst,
and Darzalex, the most commonly used
myeloma treatments. In addition, the
Ph3 BOSTON trial (Sel/Vel/Dex vs Vel/
Dex) began enrolling in early 2017.
Karyopharm hopes to submit data to the
FDA for approval of Sel in the first half
of 2018. The MMRF has played a critical
role in bringing Selinexor to clinical trials
for multiple myeloma and continues to
support this promising new treatment.
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