Studying Optimal Treatment for Primary Plasma Cell Leukemia Patients image

Studying Optimal Treatment for Primary Plasma Cell Leukemia Patients

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Nov 03, 2026
Description

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.

On this episode
Healthtree contact Jenny Ahlstrom

Jenny Ahlstrom

Myeloma survivor, patient advocate, wife, mom of 6. Believer that patients can help accelerate a cure by weighing in and participating in clinical research. Founder of the HealthTree Foundation.
Healthtree contact Douglas Sborov, MD

Douglas Sborov, MD

Dr. Douglas Sborov is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He was born and raised in Minnesota, completed his undergraduate education with a Bachelor of Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, later completed medical school through the American University of the Caribbean, and spent 3 years in Salt Lake City for his internal medicine residency. After almost 5 years in Columbus, OH, completing hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplantation fellowships and joining the Division of Hematology as a Clinical Instructor, he and his family were drawn back to the beauty of the Wasatch Front where he joined the Division of Hematology to continue his career as a clinical trialist focused on the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies. Dr. Sborov is the Director of the Multiple Myeloma Program, an Associate Member of the Huntsman Cancer Institute Experimental Therapeutics Program, Physician Leader of the Multiple Myeloma/Bone Marrow Transplant arm of the HCI Clinical Trials Office (CTO), and an active member of the HCI Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee.

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