International Myeloma Foundation

11/27/2025

Can COVID cause a myeloma relapse after remission? International Myeloma Foundation Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael answers this patient's question in this short video. Ask your own question in the comments! See the full Q&A at https://www.myeloma.org/node/12210

11/27/2025

Wishing our incredible myeloma community a happy Thanksgiving! On behalf of the entire team at the International Myeloma Foundation, we are thankful for your resilience, strength, and unwavering support. May your day be filled with love, laughter, and meaningful moments.

11/27/2025

Every gift you give to the International Myeloma Foundation helps us drive forward in our search for the cure. This , will you help us cure myeloma? Every dollar helps. Make your mark now at https://fundraise.myeloma.org/campaign/728167/donate

11/26/2025

Can you be too old for CAR T or bispecifics? Dr. Joseph Mikhael, Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation, tackles this question in this short clip. See the full Q&A with Dr. Joe at https://www.myeloma.org/node/12210

11/26/2025

Hey ASH-goers! Myelo will be waiting for you at booth #580. Our 24/7 chatbot is here to help your patients learn more about their disease. Don’t want to wait? Visit myeloma.org now to say hello to Myelo!

11/25/2025

Myeloma community! Join us online on December 17 at the free upcoming IMWG Conference Series “Making Sense of Treatment,” where leading experts will discuss the latest myeloma research from ASH 2025. Sign up now before spots fill up! Register at https://mmsm.link/4op7Q58

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is excited to announce that the IMWG Conference Series: Making Sense of Treatment is taking place virtually on December 17, 2025.

11/24/2025

People with Smoldering Myeloma Have a Higher Risk of Infection, the IMF’s iStopMM Study Shows: What This Means for the Myeloma Community

Using data from the International Myeloma Foundation’s groundbreaking iStopMM study, the largest population-based cancer precursor screening study in the world, researchers have uncovered an important new insight for people living with smoldering multiple myeloma. They found that individuals with smoldering myeloma have a significantly higher risk of infections compared to those with MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) or those without either condition.

Why does this matter? Because smoldering myeloma has long been considered "silent" or "asymptomatic." But this shows that even before myeloma becomes active, the immune system may already be weakened, something doctors and patients must take into account when making decisions about monitoring or early treatment.

This discovery is only possible because of research, and specifically the over 80,000 people in Iceland who partnered with the IMF to take part in the iStopMM study. Their participation is helping transform our understanding of myeloma precursors and moves us closer to earlier detection, earlier intervention, and, one day, prevention.

Where do we go from here? More studies are needed to understand why someone goes from healthy to developing myeloma. But one thing is clear: research saves lives, and every breakthrough gets us one step closer to curing myeloma. During this giving season, we invite you to support the IMF’s research efforts including our iStopMM study?
https://mmsm.link/givingtuesday25

11/24/2025

Michael & Robin Tuohy remind us: live life to the fullest and remember myeloma is a roller coaster, there will be ups and downs, but you don’t ride it alone.

11/23/2025

If you're facing myeloma, you are not alone. ❤️ This , will you stand with us to support the myeloma community every step of the way? Your gift matters. Help the myeloma community thrive at https://fundraise.myeloma.org/campaign/728167/donate

11/22/2025

"You see what's important in life." Michael & Robin Tuohy know the financial toll of myeloma. Even when money was tight, they leaned on faith, family, and community to keep going.

11/22/2025

Have a question for IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael? Comment below with the hashtag . Or, ask our chatbot Myelo your question any time in the bottom right corner on myeloma.org. Plus, find a free event with expert Q&As at events.myeloma.org

11/22/2025

No More "Watch and Wait" for People Living High-Risk Smoldering: Why Treating Myeloma Early Matters

For many years, people with high-risk smoldering myeloma were told to “watch and wait.” Doctors held off on treatment because they wanted to avoid side effects when they weren’t sure treatment would help.

Watching and waiting felt safer than treating too soon. But research led by the IMF’s Board Chair, Dr. S. Vincent Rajkumar, changed that. Dr. Rajkumar’s work in the AQUILA trial showed that treating high-risk smoldering myeloma early can delay the disease from turning into active myeloma. Because of this research, the FDA approved the first-ever treatment for adults with high-risk smoldering myeloma.

This approval represents something much bigger than a new option. It marks a major step forward in care and gives patients more hope, more time, and a better chance at staying well longer. "FDA- and EC-approved limited duration therapy daratumumab for treating high-risk SMM should be considered as Option 1.

Observation alone is fraught with risk, even in the best of centers," says IMF Board Chair Dr. S. Vincent Rajkumar, who leads the AQUILA clinical trial. This shift from “watch and wait” to “treat when high-risk” will help patients live better and longer lives.

The IMF is proud to be part of this progress. Through research, education, and support, we remain committed to improving the lives of everyone living with myeloma.

If you or a loved one has high-risk smoldering myeloma, talk to your healthcare team about what early treatment may mean for you. You are not alone. We’re here to help you understand your options every step of the way. Learn more:
https://oncodaily.com/voices/vincent-rajkumar-411355