Joining a Clinical Trial for Multiple Myeloma

Clinical trials are how doctors and researchers find new treatments for multiple myeloma. Clinical trials can test different things, such as: 

• New medications or combinations of medications

• New surgery or radiation techniques

• How well current treatments work for different groups of patients

• Other approaches that may improve quality of life

All patients who enroll in clinical trials are volunteers. All medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must go through clinical trials to measure how safe and effective they are.

How to find a clinical trial

HealthTree Foundation offers the personalized Clinical Trial Finder. This tool matches you based on your diagnosis with open and enrolling clinical trials. Learn more.

Should I join a clinical trial?

You may decide to join a clinical trial for many reasons. Sometimes, a clinical trial offers the best treatment option available. You may also want to contribute to research that could help future patients. Your care team can help you evaluate whether a clinical trial is the right option for you.

Joining a clinical trial is always your choice. You can withdraw at any time. Before enrolling, the research team will explain the trial's goals, what the treatment involves, potential risks and benefits, and your rights as a participant.

Will my insurance cover a clinical trial?

In the United States, the Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to cover routine patient care costs for federally approved or funded clinical trials for cancer or other life-threatening diseases. Routine costs include standard cancer treatment, supportive care, medical visits, labs, and scans.

Other costs, such as the cost of the experimental drug or intervention, are typically covered by the clinical trial sponsor. Some costs, such as travel, may not be covered. Ask the research team about any out-of-pocket costs before enrolling.

What are myeloma researchers studying in clinical trials?

Right now, clinical trials are underway to study:

• Different combinations of treatments

• Using minimal residual disease (MRD) to help guide treatment decisions

• New types of CAR-T therapy

• Moving treatments to earlier lines of therapy

• Maintenance therapy

• Diet and nutrition for people with multiple myeloma

• Improving treatments for older adults with myeloma

What’s Next: The next page in this guide is Coping with Multiple Myeloma. If you would like to read another page in this guide, return to the Understanding Multiple Myeloma page or choose another page from the menu.