Myeloma Awareness Month

Myeloma is a rare type of blood cancer that originates in plasma cells (a type of white blood cell). These plasma cells normally fight infection in the body, however they can also grow abnormally and become cancerous myeloma cells. Myeloma cells are primarily found in bone marrow and will multiply so that there is not enough space for the bone marrow to produce normal blood cells. 

90% of patients present at diagnosis with myeloma across multiple sites in the body, which is why it is also called multiple myeloma. In Australia, there are 2,625 myeloma diagnoses each year, with this number expected to double by 2035. 

The Snowdome Foundation collaborates with world-leading Australian and international blood cancer researchers to accelerate new therapies and bring next-generation treatments to Australian myeloma patients faster. One such treatment that is helping improve outcomes for myeloma patients is Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell treatment, which involves reprogramming a patient’s own T cells (a type of immune cell) to target and kill cancer cells with unparalleled precision. 

In 2024, Snowdome was pleased to have played a role in advocating for a revolutionary type of CAR T-cell therapy, ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), to be approved for public funding in Australia. Treatment with cilta-cel will now be a reality for patients with refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma who have had four prior lines of treatment. 

Whilst CAR T-cell therapy has revolutionised the treatment of blood cancer, there is still more work to be done. Many patients will currently still relapse after receiving CAR T-cell therapy, so researchers are presently investigating how to improve the therapeutic efficacy of CAR T-cells by further re-engineering them. 

To read more about current myeloma research supported by Snowdome, visit the links below: 

Global partnership to fund groundbreaking research in treatment of multiple myeloma
Transforming therapies for myeloma patients