ICMM 2016

Dr Corradini talks to ecancertv at ICMM 2016 about the new drugs emerging for treating various haematological cancers. He discusses both three and four-drug combinations as well as new antibodies such as daratumumab and elotuzumab. The complete remission rate is of high importance, he stresses, and has seen much improvement in recent years, especially in younger patients.

Prof Mateos talks to ecancertv at ICMM 2016 about the use of monoclonal gammopathy in early-stage pre-malignant disorders. Unfortunately, she says, certain patients will see their disorder evolve into active myeloma disease. She says it is important to predict better which patients are most at risk so they can be treated preemptively, possibly with lenalidomide and dexamethasone.

Dr Moreau talks to ecancertv at ICMM 2016 about trials looking at monoclonal antibodies targeting CD38. In particular, he discusses daratumumab as a promising drug for multiple myeloma.

Dr Hillengaß talks to ecancertv at ICMM 2016 about the history of thalidomide as a treatment for multiple myeloma and the subsequent treatments this led to such as lenalidomide and pomalidomide in combination with dexamethasone.

Prof Ludwig talks to ecancertv at ICMM 2016 about treating elderly patients based on their biological rather than chronological age. He argues that types and dose levels of treatments should be administered based on a patient's specific state of health and fitness, rather than discriminatory assumptions based on age-related stereotypes. Prof Ludwig also stresses the importance of patients being more assertive and involving themselves more in treatment decisions, with the support of family and friends where possible.

Dr Plesner talks to ecancertv at ICMM 2016 about the use of CD38 monoclonal antibodies for patients with multiple myeloma.

Dr Palladini talks to ecancertv at ICMM 2016 about screening for amyloidosis, to prevent people being mistakenly treated for cancer. Because amyloidosis is rare, he says, it can be overlooked as a possibility and people can undergo futile chemotherapy.

Dr Van De Donk talks to ecancertv at ICMM 2016 about the results of phase II and III trials looking at drug combinations involving daratumumab for the treatment of myeloma patients. He says that triple drug regimens will probably be the future but that biomarkers are still needed to see which patients will respond.

Prof Mohty talks to ecancertv at ICMM 2016 about maintenance therapy in young myeloma patients after undergoing autologous stem cell transplant. He explains how it is beneficial but that information is still lacking regarding which patients will respond most favourably. He also tells us about the treatment of old but fit patients. Understanding more about combinations and sequences will be key, he says.

Dr Malavasi talks to ecancertv at ICMM 2016 about his work looking at CD38 as a target in multiple myeloma.

Dr Ramasamy talks to ecancertv at ICMM 2016 about the barriers to using myeloma treatments and potential ways of overcoming them. He believes that cost is not the main barrier to patients staying on, for example, triplet combinations for more than a year. Rather, he argues that lack of patient understanding and engagement in their treatment is the problem, brought about by inadequate communication between doctors and patients. He says that new ways of communicating such as telephone consultations and computer-based help tailored to the individual would empower patients to learn more about their treatment, as well as report and manage side effects better. He also notes Myeloma UK as a good quality resource for UK myeloma patients.

Prof Kröger talks to ecancertv at ICMM 2016 about the standard treatment of multiple myeloma in younger patients. In particular, he highlights both the benefits and complications associated with allogeneic stem cell transplants.

Dr Manca talks to ecancertv at ICMM 2016 about how health decisions can be made within budget constrained environments such as the NHS. The advancement of personalised medicine offers a way round this, he says, as it means no money is wasted on patients for whom certain medicines will not be effective.