How have multiple myeloma treatments been studied?
New medicines have to go through clinical trials before they can be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These trials have played a major role in advancing the treatment of multiple myeloma, thanks in part to the people who have participated in them, and the families and communities who have supported them.
What should I know
about joining a clinical trial?
It is important to talk to your doctor to learn more about the benefits and risks to clinical trial participation
If you participate in clinical trials for a cancer drug, you will typically receive a current standard treatment or the new drug being studied
You are free to quit the trial at any time if you experience unwanted side effects, if the treatment is not working for you, or for any reason at all
If early results show that one group being studied is seeing a clear, significant benefit over the other group, the researchers may stop the study so that all volunteers can receive the better treatment
Why does it matter who joins a clinical trial?
Multiple myeloma doesn't affect all communities equally. Minorities—especially rural, Black, and Hispanic communities—face greater barriers to diagnosis and treatment. Some of the barriers range from medical mistrust to lack of awareness of clinical trials, or even challenges getting to the clinical trial locations.
Clinical trials should be open to all communities. This helps make sure that many different groups of people can take part in these trials.
Rural communities
People in rural areas are less likely to join clinical studies. Because few studies are conducted near where rural residents live, participating means traveling far from home. Bringing more clinical trials to rural areas can allow these communities more opportunities to participate in medical research.
Black Americans
Black Americans account for 20% of those with multiple myeloma. Yet only 8% are represented in clinical trials. Increased participation by Black Americans will help us better understand and address their needs.
Hispanic Americans
Of the hundreds of medical studies published through 2021, 59% showed that Hispanic Americans with myeloma had worse outcomes compared to other groups. By ensuring that Hispanic communities are represented in clinical trials, we can help close these treatment gaps.
All 3 of these communities with myeloma are facing real barriers that need to be fixed.
Identifying these disparities is the first step toward ensuring all people with myeloma get fair, quality care. The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Horizon Clinical Trials Program aims to enroll at least 15% Hispanic and 20% Black participants in its myeloma studies.
Talk with your doctor if you’re considering participating in a clinical trial.
To help close these gaps, we surveyed over 1,000 people
affected by multiple myeloma to better understand what living with this disease is like—daily challenges, support needs, and what matters most—so we can help improve care.
