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Myeloma Center clinical director Frits van Rhee, M.D., Ph.D.
From The Clinical Director
| It is my great pleasure to present the Winter 2024-25 issue of the Myeloma magazine. As we celebrate 35 years of myeloma care at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), we look forward to the future.
The increased use of novel immunotherapies, which are highly effective and less toxic, are a significant advancement in the treatment of multiple myeloma. UAMS is the only institution in the state of Arkansas authorized to use chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for myeloma. The CAR T-cell process is an infusion of the patient’s enhanced immune cells designed to kill myeloma cells. Recent decisions by the Food and Drug Administration now allow the use of CAR T-cell therapy earlier in the regimen at first relapse. We believe this will help patients by giving them access to this therapy closer to the beginning of their initial myeloma diagnosis and will improve outcomes. UAMS is also taking part in an exciting large international trial in which CAR T-cell therapy is used to treat patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. The trial aims to answer the important question as to which is better: standard autologous stem cell transplant or CAR T-cell therapy?
Myeloma Center clinical director Frits van Rhee, M.D., Ph.D.
Bispecific antibodies are also a new therapy that activates the patient’s immune cells to kill myeloma. No complex manufacturing process is needed, and a major advantage is that these antibodies are ready to use off-the-shelf. The Myeloma Center is planning a clinical trial for patients with newly diagnosed high-risk myeloma. Two of these antibodies, each aiming at a different target on myeloma cells, will be incorporated in the front-line therapy. We hope that this innovative approach will improve the outcome of these patients.
Minimal residual disease (MRD) tests on bone marrow are used to detect small amounts of myeloma, even when bone marrow looks normal upon initial examination. We have routinely been testing patients for MRD since 2013. We are studying whether therapy can be discontinued early when patients have several negative tests. We are also testing whether therapy should be optimized for those with high-risk disease who have a positive MRD.
I hope that you enjoy reading about the experiences our patients have had at UAMS. The magazine contains features on members of our staff, details on clinical trials and research efforts led by Fenghuang (Frank) Zhan, M.D., Ph.D., who directs our translational research team.
We continue to advocate that myeloma is curable, and many of our patients have excellent long-term outcomes without relapse. These treatment advancements and the more individualized approach to therapy offer hope to patients and to all who are involved in patient care.
Frits van Rhee, M.D., Ph.D. MRCP(UK) FRCPath
Clinical Director of the Myeloma Center
Charles and Clydene Scharlau Chair for Hematologic Malignancies Research