At this year's American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will report new progress on multiple myeloma research and will introduce five long-term patients who have benefited from novel treatments. Although multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer, new treatments used in combination and in sequence have dramatically improved the quality of life for many patients.

The five patients represented by the IMF at the meeting will be: Hardy Jones, a five-year multiple myeloma survivor who now studies the link between toxins in the marine environment and multiple myeloma; Michael Tuohy, an eight-year multiple myeloma survivor who was initially told that he only had three years to live; Terry Barter, a patient who started Revlimid (lenalidomide) treatments seven years ago and is now in full remission; Aldo Del Col, a seven-year multiple myeloma survivor who outlived his initial three-year prognosis; and Michael Katz, who was diagnosed when his youngest son was five years old and will now witness his son graduate from medical school this spring.

The long-time survivors will be honored with a special reception at the ASH meeting on December 6. Additionally, Dr. Robert Kyle will be presented with the Walter H. Coutler Lifetime Achievement Award for his research on multiple myeloma.

These patients’ stories provide encouraging news to multiple myeloma patients, in addition to providing data about long-term experience with novel treatments of thalidomide (Thalomid), Velcade (bortezomib), and Revlimid.

Source: International Myeloma Foundation