Just on the heels of two approvals last week, the FDA today approved a third therapy to treat patients with multiple myeloma. Elotuzumab (Emplicity ™) is approved for use in combination with another drug, lenalidomide (Revlimid ®) for patients who have failed previous therapies.
The dizzying rate at which new therapies have come online for multiple myeloma has created quite a bit of buzz, just ahead of the annual American Society of Hematology Meeting kicking off in Orlando this weekend. We anticipate that we will be hearing a lot more about these new therapies for myeloma, as well as many emerging therapies for other forms of blood cancer during the conference.
LLS applauded last week’s approval of daratumumab and ixazomib, (click here), and we are pleased to see yet another new option for patients for this largely incurable disease.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) exists to find cures for blood cancers and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. The fervor with which experts, patients and supporters rally around this cause is impressive and it’s only because of that synergy that we’re able to make such significant progress in saving lives.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we wanted to share five reasons we are giving thanks this holiday season.
Smart Scientists Who Turn Dollars Into Groundbreaking Developments. Top-tier researchers are keeping us on the cutting edge of disease developments and breakthrough therapies. LLS has invested more than more than $1 billion in research over the past 65 years and is currently supporting nearly 300 research projects.
Generous Donors. Individuals, corporations and foundations were exceptionally generous in FY15, providing more than $100 million to directly fund our researchers and provide free information, education and support to blood cancer patients and their families.
Specialists Who Have the Answers. Our Information Resource Center specialists receive phone calls or email requests from more than 60,000 people a year, guiding them through cancer treatment, financial and social challenges.
Supporters with Energy and Passion. This fall saw 750,000 individuals participate in almost 180 Light The Night Walks around the country, raising $61.6 million to support blood cancer research and patient services. More than 12,500 runners, walkers, swimmers and hikers signed up with Team In Training and raised another $41.8 million.
Patients Willing to Join Clinical Trials. Advances in treatment depend on clinical trials that test the effectiveness of new therapies or combinations of therapies. If it weren’t for patients willing to take part in these carefully controlled research studies, we wouldn’t be able to improve treatment options, increase survival and improve quality of life.
Jenny Wayne’s introduction to blood cancer came about 15 years ago when her friend informed her that her 10 year-old daughter, Kenna, had been diagnosed with leukemia. Shortly following that she became a staff member at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's North Carolina chapter. But she could never have predicted that she would one day become a bone marrow donor, and ultimately save a blood cancer patient’s life.
Wayne’s experience with blood cancer didn’t end with Kenna. In her 12 years with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), she’s had countless personal connections; including losing an uncle to myeloma and learning her father-in-law had lymphoma (he is winning his battle). When a bone marrow donor center representative came to her office to speak to the team about organ donors, she jumped at the opportunity to get a swab done.
Last February, Wayne got the call that she was the perfect match for an older gentleman (who she now considers a kin brother) who was in need of a bone marrow transplant. Knowing she would be saving her recipient’s life, she decided to go through with it.
Wayne provided some insight on the ups and downs of her remarkable journey.
