The word ‘cure’ is finding its way into conversations about myeloma
A consensus about a definition was reached at a recent IMS gathering
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A few weeks ago, I wrote about the annual challenge I face during the season of Lent: the temptation of Thin Mints. The Thin Mints won again this year!
Another thing about Lent: As part of the penitential nature of the season, we omit one particular word from church services. We don’t say “Hallelujah.”
Similarly, there’s a word that wasn’t used much in the world of multiple myeloma until recently. That word is cure. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines cure as a “recovery or relief from a disease.” When I was diagnosed in 2019, my doctor said myeloma was treatable, but not curable. I only heard cure used in the context of, “We don’t have one yet, but we hope to some day.”
How things have changed!
Now I’m seeing the word cure more and more, not just as a hope, but as a reality.
In December, researchers at the American Society of Hematology conference spoke about the potential for a functional cure with certain treatments. Functional cure, according to the International Myeloma Foundation, means “prolonged remission, but a small amount of myeloma is known to be left.”
Seeing that was exciting, but since then, there’s been news that makes functional cure seem so last year!
In February, the International Myeloma Society held a two-day event with the goal of reaching a consensus on defining a cure by analyzing data from studies, including how well different therapies work and how patient-specific factors affect outcomes, along with a review of what’s worked for other cancers.
At the end of the summit, there was consensus on a proposed definition. As reported by the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), it is this: “Patients who are MRD-negative (meaning there are no myeloma cells detected among 1,000,000 plasma cells) and have been off all anti-myeloma therapy for five years may be considered cured.”
Ever since my diagnosis, I’ve said I intend to live into the cure. Now I have a defined goal!
How to get a ‘cured’ badge
“MRD-negative” refers to the results of minimal residual disease (MRD) testing, an analysis typically done on bone marrow samples after treatment. Very sensitive equipment scans samples to see if any cancer cells are still hanging around.
The hard part is getting those samples. Bone marrow biopsies can be daunting, as they involve a needle in your hip bone. That can be painful. I’ve had one with only a local anesthetic, and two with sedation. I definitely prefer sedation!
I plan to discuss a bone marrow biopsy with my oncologist next year, once I’ve reached five years of no treatment. By then, we might be able to use blood samples for MRD testing, a technique that’s being studied. Things move fast in the myeloma world, so I’ll watch and wait.
Defining a cure is not the same as having one. A definition sets a goal for researchers, but there is still much work ahead to find curative treatments for all patients. The MMRF noted that a “cure cannot come at the expense of irreversible side effects or second cancers,” but expressed hope that someday “we can close our doors because our work is done.”
And to that, there’s only one thing I can say: Hallelujah!
Note: Rare Cancer News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Rare Cancer News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to rare cancer.
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