Dr. William I. Bensinger, MD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington Interview date: August 30, 2013 

On this week's show, Dr. William Bensinger reviews the many approaches at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to both improve care and move towards a cure for myeloma.  He describes several early studies happening including the monoclonal antibody drug elotuzumab, which targets the CS1 protein and has had impressive results in combination with other therapies like lenalidomide and dex.  He describes several carfilzomib trials and how it is now being studied in combination with other therapies with and without autologous transplantation. He describes two new oral proteasome inhibitors -  oprozomib (an oral form of carfilzomib) and ixazomib (an oral form of bortezomib). He describes the potential for an anti-CD38 antibody as single agent to fight myeloma using daratumumab and other anti CD-38 approaches. He describes a new histone deacetylase inhibitor called ACY-1215, and describes how a new radioisotope called Yttrium-90 attached to a CD45 antibody is being used before allogeneic transplantation for patients with highly aggressive myeloma. He also discusses some of the pros and cons of allogeneic vs. autologous transplantation.  The live mPatient Radio podcast with Dr. Bensinger