Multiple Myeloma
Anthony “Tony” Blau, M.D.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
The South Sound CARE Foundation is planning to begin enrollment for a study for patients with multiple myeloma. This study involves the utilization of a platform, All4Cure, created by our very own Dr. Tony Blau.
All4Cure is a platform that will be used as a resource for both patients and doctors. Through All4Cure, patients will have access to all their medical files pertaining to their multiple myeloma diagnosis including all MRIs, scans, biopsies, and a summary of their disease beginning from when they were diagnosed. Patients will also be able to access all their treatment regimens and compare that in real time to the state of the cancer to see which regimen is best for them.
“The purpose of this prospective cohort study is to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of participation in All4Cure on patient activation – a patients' willingness and ability to take independent actions to manage their health and care,” said Dr. Blau.
Multiple myeloma is a rare blood cancer involving plasma cells that starts inside bones. It can be difficult to treat and is even more difficult to effectively treat each time it progresses or relapses. With this platform, patients can see which regimen works for them on a deeper level rather than just symptom management. Providers anywhere can discuss the patient’s disease together and help formulate a treatment plan.
About Multiple Myeloma
Treatment includes radiation, chemotherapy, and drugs
Cannot be cured but can control symptoms/improve quality of life
Symptoms include but not limited to bone pain usually in spine and chest, confusion, weakness/numbness in legs, frequent infections
If cancer is slow growing, provider may just want to closely monitor instead. However, if disease progresses, it can be harder to treat. It’s Increasingly difficult to treat with each relapse/progression
Drugs Include:
Steroids
Inhibitors that stop the cleaning out of cancer cells (they really like to be clean!)
Activators that help the immune system and kill cancer cells and prevent growth signals sent out to the cancer cells
This is a rare disease. Only about 140,000 people in the United States are estimated to have it.
Slightly more common in males
There are no strong obvious risk factors
Acquired not inherited but 2-3x more likely if a first degree relative has it
Multiple myeloma affects white blood cells (plasma cells) in bone marrow which accumulates. This causes problems because cancerous cells crowd out healthy cells and it creates abnormal proteins that can cause problems for immune system. Because of this, abnormal blood labs (decrease in WBC, RBC, platelets) are the gold standard sign that providers look for when diagnosing multiple myeloma.
Healthy cells fight off infections and make antibodies that can recognize germs and attack them. Therefore, frequent infections are a big warning sign. The cells that work to fight off these infections are now diminished and have a more difficult time eradicating disease/infection and can greatly impact the health of an individual with this cancer.
