Multiple Myeloma
Why Roswell?
Multiple myeloma occurs when a type of immune cell, called a plasma cell, becomes too numerous and crowds out healthy blood cells in the bone marrow, causing pain, and gradually damaging the bones and other body organs. An estimated 20,580 people will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the United States in 2010. Newly diagnosed patients will find state-of-the-art care and promising new therapies at Roswell.
New Approaches to Curing Multiple Myeloma
In multiple myeloma, immune system components in the bone marrow microenvironment support, rather than destroy, the cancer cells. Since the multiple myeloma cell is part of the immune system, it knows how it works. When the immune system fails, the cancer grows more aggressively. Roswell was the first to recognize that the immune microenvironment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma can be effectively targeted with treatment. By developing new treatments that focus on the immune system, rather than the cancer cell, we hope to both increase survival, and spare patients the side effects of chemotherapy.
Drug for Multiple Myeloma Demonstrated to Significantly Extend Disease-Free Survival
Philip L. McCarthy, Jr., MD, associate professor of medicine at Roswell Park Cancer Institute was principal investigator in a study that led to exciting advance in the field of multiple myeloma therapy. According to Dr. McCarthy, “This study answers the important question for multiple myeloma patients regarding maintenance lenalidomide therapy starting at 100 days following transplant. We now know that prolonged maintenance therapy with lenalidomide when compared to placebo will delay disease progression."
The Best Doctors® in America
Two physicians who treat multiple myeloma at Roswell were named to the Best Doctors® in America list for 2009-2010. Myron S. Czuczman, MD and Philip McCarthy, MD have earned a place on this prestigious list, Only 5% of the doctors in America earn a spot on the list.
