A letter from Walter M. Capone
Dear Supporter,
The treatment of myeloma has seen some of the most
significant advances of any cancer in the last decade. Despite
these advances it is still a devastating disease. Now more
than ever it is absolutely essential that we band together to
fight this disease and identify new treatment options in our
drive to a cure for patients.
2015 has been an important year in the fight against multiple myeloma.
Numerous clinical trials are launching to study drugs for patients who had
few or no treatment options available, and the myeloma community at large —
researchers, industry, academia — is coming together like never before.
Together with our partners we are accelerating breakthroughs for patients
thanks to your efforts and support of the MMRF.
The MMRF has re-engineered the disease research and drug development
model to integrate data and partnerships to inject speed and efficiency into the
process with the ultimate goal of accelerating a cure. Through this model, seven
new treatments have been launched for patients in the last 10 years. These
treatments have almost tripled patients’ life span. You can learn more about
our model in the article on page 4.
We are on track to launch 11 new clinical trials this year to rapidly advance
lifesaving treatments to patients who are most in need. Thus far, we have
launched three company-sponsored trials of completely novel, innovative drug
programs: a Phase 2 clinical trial of selinexor with Karyopharm Therapeutics,
Inc., a Phase 2 trial to test Janssen Biotech, Inc.’s daratumumab in smoldering
multiple myeloma patients, and a Phase 1 study of Genentech’s immune
checkpoint inhibitor, MPDL3280A. Read more about clinical trials we have
launched on page 8. It is the support and funding of our donors and partners
that will help us launch the remaining eight trials we have planned for 2015.
Please take a moment to fill the envelope in our summer fundraising insert.
With your help, we are curing cancer now. On behalf of all of us at the MMRF,
we thank you for your continued contributions that enable it to happen.
Sincerely,
Walter M. Capone
President and Chief Executive Officer, MMRF