“The field of cancer treatment, and multiple myeloma in particular, has never seen a watershed moment like this. With two breakthrough designation drug approvals in the treatment of multiple myeloma in the last week, including today’s approval of ixazomib, the transformation in the treatment of myeloma is clearly underway. Ixazomib, the first FDA approved oral proteasome inhibitor, is an important advance and effective new treatment option for patients. As an established research partner with Takeda, the MMRF looks forward to continuing to advance the understanding of ixazomib across the range of patient’s needs in multiple myeloma.

The Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC), the MMRF’s clinical network, has been instrumental in the development of ixazomib. Building on our collaboration with Takeda to initiate and execute important phase I/II trials to characterize the activity of ixazomib, we are exploring combinations of therapies with ixazomib in various multiple myeloma patient populations and optimizing development of the compound to inform later stage research to focus on patients who could have the greatest impact. MMRC’s involvement in a Phase I/II trial evaluating ixazomib in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma led to the pivotal Phase III TOURMALINE MM-2 trial, which is currently ongoing.

The MMRF and MMRC’s support of ixazomib also includes the initiation of four clinical trials, three of which are currently ongoing, in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, residual multiple myeloma, as a maintenance therapy in myeloma patients who have received an autologous stem cell transplant and as a treatment for patients with plasma cell leukemia or extramedullary disease. As part of its support for these trials, the MMRC has helped accelerate clinical trials by facilitating KOL review of trial protocol, expediting the contracting process, providing training to the clinical trial sites and maintaining awareness on the study to help speed patient enrollment.”

– Walter M. Capone, President and CEO of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation



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