A Busy Myeloma Day at the 2024 ASH Conference

We’re starting the ASH 2024 conference with a bang, as the busiest day for myeloma research presentations starts today. 

While patients and caregivers don’t have access to the sessions, we’ve made it our mission to inform you about the most important research presented today.

The HealthTree Foundation Writing Team will break down several of these sessions and research abstracts in future articles, some including detailed, easy-to-understand interviews with the authors. So stay tuned to the HealthTree website as we continue to cover this important information. 

Here are important myeloma-based sessions from this morning, afternoon, and evening to keep your eyes on.

Morning Session

Decluttering Responses and Dynamic Risk: How Can We Improve Prognostication in Multiple Myeloma? 

In this session, researchers gather to present their latest-breaking information on how prognostication (a doctor's prediction of how the myeloma is likely to progress) can be improved in multiple myeloma. One of the most anticipated research presentations in this session is from Dr. Rahul Banerjee, sharing his abstract, 24-Hour Urine Testing Does Not Add Value to Multiple Myeloma Response Assessments. 

In an upcoming article, we’ll cover this abstract, along with an interview and the perspectives of myeloma patients on the subject. 

Afternoon Session 

Newly Diagnosed Myeloma Education Session

As myeloma research improves outcomes, the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients continues to improve. This afternoon, an education session will focus specifically on pertinent research questions related to newly diagnosed myeloma. 

Questions will be discussed, such as: 

1. Is a doublet, triplet, or quadruplet regimen optimal for newly diagnosed patients?

2. Is a stem cell transplant right for everybody? For who, when, and why should a transplant be considered? 

3. What else should be considered when approaching supportive care for myeloma patients (versus just focusing on treating the disease- what about treating the whole person?)

Because this is an educational session, the information may be easier for patients and caregivers to digest. In the coming weeks, we’ll share a comprehensive article on the session. 

Evening Session

Advancing Minimal Residual Disease (MRD): Detection, Impact on Prognosis and Treatment Decisions

This evening session will cover the hot topic of Minimal Residual Disease. How does it impact prognosis and treatment decisions? What does the latest research say about stopping maintenance therapy once MRD negativity has been reached? How vital is it for newly diagnosed patients to reach MRD negativity? These important questions and more will be covered in one or more articles in the coming weeks. 

Other myeloma research presented today includes quality-of-life topics, such as the strength of a couple’s relationship even during a diagnosis such as this. HealthTree researchers will be sharing their collaborative abstract on pain management, made possible by those who contributed to the survey on opioids and cannabis through HealthTree Cure Hub. 

Stay Tuned! 

We’re excited to cover this important information on your behalf and promise to communicate it clearly and understandably so that you can stay up to date on information that can affect and benefit your life. You can bookmark the link below to catch up on published conference coverage news. 

HealthTree Conference Coverage