The Open IMMUNOPET Clinical Trial (for NonSecretors!)

Audrey joined the HealthTree Foundation as the Myeloma Community Program Director in 2020. While not knowing much about myeloma at the start, she has since worked hard to educate herself, empathize and learn from others' experiences. She loves this job. Audrey is passionate about serving others, loves learning, and enjoys a nice mug of hot chocolate no matter the weather.

C. Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, is Professor of Medicine, Chief of the Myeloma Program, and Leader of the Experimental Program at the University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center. Read more about his move to Miami here. Dr. Landgren is a pioneer in the drug development and minimal residual disease (MRD) testing in myeloma. In collaboration with colleagues throughout the world, he develops new strategies (including cell-based, molecular-based, and imaging-based) and continues to be a leader of using advanced MRD testing in clinical trials. He is involved in the service’s rational treatment program (small molecule, monoclonal antibody, immune-based) for newly diagnosed, relapsed and refractory myeloma and amyloidosis patients. His research focuses on early drug development, advanced disease monitoring by new minimal residual disease (MRD) assays and biomarkers, and immune-PET to monitor treatment. He also studies mechanism and markers of progression from MGUS/smoldering myeloma to symptomatic multiple myeloma, and the identification of high-risk precursor patients who may be candidates for early treatment. Prior to joining Miami, Dr. Landgren was the Chief Attending Physician of the Myeloma Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering and Professor of Medicine at the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City and Chief of the Multiple Myeloma Section of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Landgren received his MD at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden; and he has had fellowships at Karolinska University Hospital and the National Cancer Institute. He is a frequent speaker at national and international meetings, and has published more than 400 peer-reviewed papers.

In the 20 years since her diagnosis Vicki has learned a lot about fighting myeloma. In her own words, "When I was diagnosed it felt like I was the only one in the world with this disease. After always having been a bit of a loner, suddenly I yearned for someone to talk to that understood what I was going through. Now I want to be that someone for other myeloma patients and caregivers". Vicki has been on just about every chemo regimen and has had a stem cell transplant. Every drug regimen has worked against her Myeloma but she has never been in complete remission. She recently became a nonsecretor and is learning to deal with this new diagnosis. "When I was diagnosed in 2004 it made me sad to think I would never know what it was like to grow old. Now when I look in the mirror and see all the wrinkles, I’m overjoyed!"