Customizing Your Care

While two cases of multiple myeloma can look the same under the microscope and may appear to be the same disease, we now know that there are more than five different subsets of myeloma, each with its own biological features and behavior. That’s why we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to myeloma treatment. When you come to John Theurer Cancer Center for multiple myeloma care, we’ll perform a comprehensive molecular analysis of your cancer to determine its subtype, and match you with the most appropriate therapy. This “precision medicine” approach ensures that you receive the therapy that is best suited for the biology of your cancer, offering the greatest chance of success.

Leaders in the Development of Myeloma Drugs

Our doctors are leaders in myeloma research. Their research efforts have resulted in some of the most promising treatments for myeloma used today, including bortezomib (Velcade), lenalidomide (Revlimid), and carfilzomib (Kyprolis). In addition, our team participated in the development of four myeloma therapies just approved over the last few years: daratumumab (Darzalex), elotuzumab (Empliciti), ixazomib (Ninlaro), and panobinostat (Farydak). What does this mean for you? It means your treatment team is not only knowledgeable about, but involved in the development of the very latest therapies for your disease—and therefore best equipped to provide you with the most advanced solutions.

Leaders in Bone Marrow Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma

John Theurer Cancer Center has one of the largest bone marrow or stem cell transplantation programs in the country for multiple myeloma, performing over 250 transplants a year. Our program features physicians whose primary focus is transplantation for multiple myeloma. We also perform more allogeneic transplants (using stem cells from a healthy donor) for multiple myeloma than any other center in our region. Our research has a strong focus on reducing the complications of transplantation and also lowering the risk of recurrence. For example, we are the first team in the world to combine checkpoint inhibitors (drugs that work by inhibiting the proteins cancer cells use to evade detection by the immune system) after transplantation, at a time where the newly reset immune system has the best opportunity to eliminate residual cancer cells.

Personalized Monitoring for "Pre-Myeloma"

Some people have diseases that have the potential to turn into multiple myeloma. These “precursor” disorders include smoldering multiple myeloma and MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance). If you were diagnosed with one of these disorders, you may have been surprised because they don’t cause any symptoms. Our doctors take a conservative approach to treating patients with smoldering multiple myeloma and MGUS. We’ll monitor you and let you know if or when you may benefit from treatment. We also offer clinical trials assessing immunological factors and other predictors of the best time to start treatment.

Institute For Multiple Myeloma

The Institute for Multiple Myeloma will be located in a state-of-the art research facility at the Hackensack Meridian Health Interprofessional Health Sciences Campus in Nutley and Clifton, NJ, and led by founding director, Dr. David Siegel, chief of the Multiple Myeloma Division at John Theurer Cancer Center. Under the leadership of Dr. Siegel, and alongside hematology experts like Dr. André Goy, chairman and executive director, division chief of Lymphoma at John Theurer Cancer Center, the Institute will focus on driving innovative research, and continuing the development of precision medicine for each patient.

Our Multiple Myeloma Team

We bring together all the multiple myeloma experts you may need—offering dedicated highly specialized providers trained at the world’s best academic medical centers—from hematology/medical oncology, immunology, stem cell transplantation, infectious diseases, pathology, radiation oncology, orthopedics, and nursing to provide you with a tailored plan of care based on the specific features of your disease and your personal condition. Our goal is to treat your myeloma while taking into account all physical, functional, emotional, and quality of life aspects of your disease. We don’t just care for you, but about you. In fact, according to Press-Ganey surveys, 99 percent of our patients report satisfaction with their care.