A letter from Paul Giusti
Dear Friends,
As we look back on 2017, one thing is certain: it has been a terrific year for
myeloma research. You will read more about a number of exciting programs in this
issue of the Accelerator, and there are several initiatives that I want to highlight.
We have gained incredible knowledge, insights and understanding through The
MMRF CoMMpass Study SM — information that will help us develop personalized
therapies based on each patient’s genetics and other unique factors. Some of
the most important findings, which were reported at the recent meeting of the
American Society of Hematology (ASH), include the role of maintenance therapy
after stem cell transplantation, identifying high-risk patients whose disease is
particularly aggressive and hard-to-treat, and new biological mechanisms that cause
patients to become resistant to standard therapies. As we continue to explore the
robust CoMMpass data — the largest cancer genomic dataset in the world — we will
learn more about myeloma, including new subtypes of multiple myeloma and how
to more effectively treat patients in all stages of the disease.
We are also excited by the MMRF Answer Fund, a new initiative which uses
CoMMpass data to answer critical questions about multiple myeloma. One of
the innovative aspects of this program is crowdsourcing questions from patients,
caregivers, researchers and community oncologists, to answer research questions
that matter to them the most. We have experienced an overwhelming response
to this effort and will be announcing early next year the questions selected
for research.
Finally, we are proud of the incredible momentum we have generated with our
partners over the past 12 months. As a patient-founded organization that prioritizes
the needs of patients above all else, we are grateful to partner with clinicians,
researchers as well as biotech, pharmaceutical and technology companies. These
collaborations are essential as we pursue our singular and shared vision: advancing
precision-based therapy and finding a cure for each and every patient.
Wishing you a happy holiday season and a great start to the new year.
Sincerely,
Paul Giusti
President and Chief Executive Officer
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation