Addressing Racial Disparities in Health Care
Latest News
New CAR T-Cell Therapy “Very Exciting” Because it Gives Patients One Year Without Progression
In September, the FDA accepted idecabtagene vicleucel (bb2121) for priority review. This investigational chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy is designed to treat patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least three previous therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 antibody.
Learn MoreDexamethasone Use in Multiple Myeloma and COVID-19 Isn’t the Same
Corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone and dexamethasone have emerged as a valuable intervention to improve outcomes in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Randomized trials have indicated that these drugs reduce mortality in seriously ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation and supplemental oxygen.
Learn MoreDoctors Treating Minority Ovarian Cancer Patients May Not Be Aware of Their Own Implicit Biases
Evidence strongly suggests a higher mortality rate and lack of high-quality treatment among Black ovarian cancer patients than white patients. Although the exact reason for this disparity isn’t clear, factors ranging from socioeconomic inequality to access to health care may play roles.
Learn MoreHow Would You Treat a 60-Year-Old Woman with Relapsed Refractory Myeloma?
A 60-year-old woman was previously treated with a standard VRD combination followed by a stem cell transplant on lenalidomide maintenance therapy, which was stopped due to diarrhea. Three years later she had an increase in her "M protein" and her myeloma has returned. How would you approach her treatment?
Learn MoreWeighing the Risks of Multiple Myeloma Therapy in the Time of COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the country, cancer specialists had to weigh the risks of treating multiple myeloma to prevent morbidity and mortality, with the dangers of virus exposure in their patients. SurvivorNet's experts say treatment decisions often hinge on geographic location.
Learn MoreHow Top Institutions Are Working to Reduce Racial Disparities
Black Americans have a two- to three-fold incidence of multiple myeloma compared to whites, yet they are significantly underrepresented in clinical trials. Issues with access, eligibility, and a lack of information from providers prevent many Black patients from participating.
Learn MoreWhat We’re Learning About Isatuximab and How It’s Being Used to Treat Multiple Myeloma Patients
The recent FDA approval of isatuximab in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone has opened up another avenue of treatment for multiple myeloma patients who have already undergone two prior lines of therapy.
Learn MoreBelamaf is ‘First-In-Class’ New Therapy for Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma, But What’s Its Role in the Toolkit?
In August, the FDA granted belantamab mafodotin (Belamaf) accelerated approval for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who've received at least four prior therapies, including an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, a proteasome inhibitor, and an immunomodulatory agent.
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