THE PATIENT JOURNEY BOB AND SHELAGH BRODERSEN
Bob Brodersen was a graduate student when he met Shelagh . He eventually went on to become a professor and entrepreneur and she a speech pathologist . From the start , both were avid outdoor enthusiasts . Hiking together led to long ( often two to four week ) backpacking adventures and eventually years crisscrossing the globe on months-long bicycle trips . It was a biking accident in 2012 that eventually led to a multiple myeloma diagnosis for Bob some six months later . Shortly after his diagnosis , Bob and Shelagh began researching multiple myeloma . That ’ s when they learned about the MMRF and decided to back the organization .
“ Bob wanted to do what he could to help provide research into a cure — if not for himself , then for the future . The MMRF seemed like the best organization to support .” Asked what advice they ’ d give patients , Bob and Shelagh say , “ Contact organizations , follow patient blogs , find a ‘ buddy ’ who can listen and , most of all , find a doctor that specializes in treating multiple myeloma . Make sure they ’ re up to date on what ’ s going on . There is so much being done and everything is changing very rapidly .” Bob and Shelagh ’ s first trip after Bob ’ s stem cell transplant this year was a flight across the country to New York City for Bob to receive the distinguished 2016 IEEE Edison Medal “ for contributions to integrated systems for wired and wireless communications , including wireless connectivity of personal devices .” Congrats Bob and Shelagh !
I N T H E C L I N I C
HIGHLIGHTS
A Study of Atezolizumab ( Anti- Programmed Death-Ligand 1 [ PD-L1 ] Antibody ) Alone or in Combination with an Immunomodulatory Drug and / or Darzalex ( Daratumumab ) in Participants With Multiple Myeloma
Clinical trial identifier : NCT02431208
Key information : This nationwide trial evaluating atezolizumab ( atezo ) has recently expanded to include three additional arms : atezo and Darzalex ( dara ); atezo , dara , and Revlimid ( lenalidomide ); and atezo , dara , and pomalidomide . Atezo is an antibody against PD-L1 ( programmed death ligand 1 ) and helps T-cells recognize cancer cells , so they can be killed . For more information about immunotherapy , go to page 5 .
Target : Patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received up to three lines of prior therapy .
Phase 1 / 2 Trial of Idasanutlin in Combination with Ninlaro ( Ixazomib ) and Dexamethasone in Patients with 17p Deleted , Relapsed Multiple Myeloma
Clinical trial identifier : NCT02633059
Key information : This dose-finding trial is being conducted at sites in California , Michigan and Minnesota for patients with 17p deleted , relapsed MM to evaluate the safety of the combination of idasanutlin , an oral inhibitor of MDM2 , and Ninlaro ( ixazomib ), a second-generation proteasome inhibitor , along with dexamethasone . Idasanutlin may work to cause cells to undergo self-destruction .
Target : Patients identified with a 17p deletion and who have relapsed .
A Phase II Study of IRD ( Ninlaro ( Ixazomib ), Revlimid ( Lenalidomide ) and Dexamethasone ) for Consolidation Therapy Post Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Followed by Maintenance Ninlaro ( Ixazomib ) or Lenalidomide for Multiple Myeloma
Clinical trial identifier : NCT02253316
Key information : This multi-site study is evaluating minimal residual disease ( MRD ) following autologous stem cell transplant and treatment with IRD , a three-drug regimen consisting of Ninlaro ( ixazomib ), Revlimid ( lenalidomide ) and dexamethasone and randomization to maintenance therapy with either Ninlaro ( ixazomib ) or Revlimid ( lenalidomide ). The purpose of this trial is to study the safety and efficacy of this combination therapy in an effort to prolong the amount of time patients remain diseasefree after receiving a transplant .
Target : Post-transplant .
Question about clinical trials ? Please call our MMRF Nurse Specialists at 1.800.603.6628 . To search for clinical trials , visit MMRFCommunityGateway . org
ACCELERATOR • WINTER 2016 11