Studying Optimal Treatment for Newly Diagnosed Primary Plasma Cell Leukemia Patients
In this episode of the HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma, Jenny Ahlstrom talks with Dr. Douglas Sborov of Huntsman Cancer Institute about plasma cell leukemia (PCL), a rare, aggressive disorder diagnosed when 5% or more plasma cells circulate in the blood. PCL often carries high-risk genetics, has been left out of most clinical trials, and even with modern therapy has a median overall survival of about three years.
Dr. Sborov leads QUANTUM, a national trial for newly diagnosed primary PCL. All patients receive Dara-KRd and a transplant, then are randomized to Dara-KRd or the bispecific teclistamab, followed by carfilzomib and lenalidomide maintenance. He encourages PCL patients to join HealthTree so researchers can better understand this disease.
In this episode of the HealthTree Podcast for Multiple Myeloma, Jenny Ahlstrom talks with Dr. Douglas Sborov of Huntsman Cancer Institute about plasma cell leukemia (PCL), a rare, aggressive disorder diagnosed when 5% or more of plasma cells circulate in the blood. PCL affects only 1–2% of myeloma patients, often carries high-risk genetics and has been largely left out of clinical trials, with median survival for primary PCL around three years. Dr. Sborov describes QUANTUM, the national trial he leads for newly diagnosed primary PCL, in which patients receive Dara-KRd and a stem cell transplant, then are randomized to more Dara-KRd or the bispecific teclistamab before maintenance, with built-in safety measures and MRD tracking. The trial is open to transplant-eligible patients up to about age 75 at sites including Huntsman, Mayo and Memorial Sloan Kettering. He closes by urging PCL patients to join HealthTree so researchers can build the data needed to better treat this rare disease.
Jenny Ahlstrom
Douglas Sborov, MD