IMF Virtual Myeloma Community Workshop (MCW): “What’s the ‘Right’ Answer? – Controversies in Myeloma
WHAT’S THE ‘RIGHT’ ANSWER?
CONTROVERSIES IN MYELOMA
Thank you for joining us for the November 17, 2025, IMF Virtual Myeloma Community Workshop!
Welcome and Announcements
WHAT’S THE ‘RIGHT’ ANSWER?
CONTROVERSIES IN MYELOMA
High Risk Smoldering Myeloma: To Treat or Not to Treat?
YES – Dr. Saad Usmani
No – Dr. Amrita Krishnan
Panel Discussion
Should MRD Guide Decisions for Transplant and Maintenance Discontinuation?
YES – Dr. Saad Usmani
No – Dr. Amrita Krishnan
Panel Discussion
15-minute Break
CAR T Cell Therapy for Everyone at First Relapse?
YES – Dr. Saad Usmani
No – Dr. Amrita Krishnan
Panel Discussion
Q& A
Closing Remarks
Closed Captioning
Look for the "CC" icon or "Show Captions" button in the control bar at the bottom of the screen
If you don't see it, click "More" (three dots) and look for "Closed Captions" or "Show Captions"
Clicking "Show Captions" will turn on subtitles for your view. The button will change to "Hide Captions" once turned on
Audience Q&A With Panel
Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists.
If we do not answer your questions today, please reach out to our Infoline
Technical Issues
•If a technical issue arises – please use the Q&A to send questions to our support team who will reach out to assist you.
•You can also email us during the webinar at meetings@myeloma.org There is a lag in audio, can someone assist me?
Thank you to our speakers & our sponsors!
We Want to Hear From You
Feedback Survey
At the close of the meeting a feedback survey will pop up.
This will also be emailed to you shortly after the workshop.
Please take a moment to complete this survey.
Workshop Video Replay & Slides
As follow up to today's workshop, we will have the speaker slides and a video replay available.
These will be provided to you shortly after the workshop concludes and posted to our website under “IMF Videos”
Heather Cooper Ortner President & CEO International Myeloma Foundation
“I am humbled to serve alongside so many who are making a difference every day for patients and families affected by myeloma, and I look forward to building on the IMF’s legacy of impact”
Shared Experiences Help to Better Understand the Myeloma Journey
Support Groups empower patients & care partners with information, insight & hope
The IMF provides educational support to a network of over 155 myeloma specific groups
155+ US Support Groups
Over 200 Support Group Visits/year
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
Special interest groups are designed as a supplemental support for specific populations of patients, in addition to their local Support Groups
MM Families
Founded in 2021
For patients & care partners with young children
Las Voces de Mieloma
Founded in 2022
For Spanish speaking patients & care partners
Living Solo & Strong
Founded in 2022
For patients without a care partner
Veterans SIG
Founded in 2025
For those who served our country
Smolder Bolder
Founded in 2023
For smoldering myeloma patients & care partners
Living with High-Risk Multiple Myeloma
Founded in 2023
For high-risk myeloma patients & care partners
Care Partners Only
Founded in 2024
For myeloma care partners only
MYELOMA VOICES AT ASH
MYELOMA INFOLINE
Promoting Knowledge, Empowerment, & Hope
Since 1990, InfoLine Coordinators, with medical oversight, connect patients around the world to needed resources and help answer their myeloma questions
Patient-Reported Needs
Include:
• Understanding lab results, terminology and disease state
• Preparing for medical visits
• Access to medical providers, specialty care (ASCT, CAR T)
• Access to specialty medications (Len, Dara, etc.)
• Financial resources
CLINICAL TRIALS MATCHING ENGINE
Seamlessly matching patients to the latest clinical trials.
• Discover clinical trials tailored to your myeloma journey with the IMF.
• Filter by diagnosis, treatment, and location to find the best fit for you.
Clinical Trials Matching Engine Usage
EDUCATION- WRITTEN
EDUCATION – LIVE IN THE US
4 PATIENT & FAMILY SEMINARS with world-renowned experts
10 COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS with local myeloma experts
2025 Locations…
2026 LIVE PATIENT EDUCATION
Boca Raton, FL March 13 – 14
Cleveland, OH May 1 -2
Los Angeles, CA August 14 – 15
Short Hills, NJ October 2 -3
Kansas City, MO March 28th
Minneapolis, MN April 25th
Detroit, MI June 27th
Salt Lake City, UT August 1st
Portland, OR September 19th
San Diego, CA October 24th
Phoenix, AZ November 14th
WHAT DO WE ADVOCATE FOR?
The following policy principles are the foundation on which we prioritize our advocacy work.
1. Ensure Access to Care: We advocate for policies that ensure all myeloma patients have equitable, comprehensive, patientcentered care without insurance barriers that limit options or delay treatment initiation.
2. Eliminate Financial Barriers: We advocate for policies that allow myeloma patients access to treatments and supportive care interventions without facing financial hardships.
3. Advance Myeloma Research: We advocate for annual appropriations funding for myeloma research and the advancement of clinical trial eligibility and research protocols that ensure representation from diverse populations.
HIGH RISK SMOLDERING MULTIPLE MYELOMA: TO TREAT OR NOT TO TREAT?
YES: DR. SAAD USMANI
NO: DR. AMRITA KRISHNAN
DISCUSSION MODERATED BY DR. JOSEPH MIKHAEL
SHOULD MRD GUIDE DECISIONS FOR TRANSPLANT AND MAINTENANCE DISCONTINUATION?
YES: DR. SAAD USMANI
NO: DR. AMRITA KRISHNAN
DISCUSSION MODERATED BY DR. JOSEPH MIKHAEL
Thank you to our speakers & our sponsors!
CAR T CELL THERAPY FOR EVERYONE AT FIRST RELAPSE?
YES: DR. SAAD USMANI
NO: DR. AMRITA KRISHNAN
DISCUSSION MODERATED BY DR. JOSEPH MIKHAEL
We Want to Hear From You
Feedback Survey
At the close of the meeting a feedback survey will pop up.
This will also be emailed to you shortly after the workshop.
Please take a moment to complete this survey.
Workshop Video Replay & Slides
As follow up to today's workshop, we will have the speaker slides and a video replay available.
These will be provided to you shortly after the workshop concludes and posted to our website under “IMF Videos”
Thank you to our speakers & our sponsors!
IMF Core Values:
These are the core values we bring to accomplishing our mission each day.
Patient Centric
The patient experience is the focus of everything we do. Every interaction is an opportunity to establish a personal connection built on care and compassion which is the basis for continued support.
Respect All
As a team, we value honesty and transparency while creating a culture of mutual respect. We foster a myeloma community built on sincerity, authenticity, and kindness.
Excellence and Innovation
We value accountability, personal responsibility, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. We respect the legacy and reputation of our organization while seeking new solutions and advancements to improve outcomes, quality of life, and access to the best available resources for everyone impacted by myeloma.
Honor differences
We recognize each team member's skills and talents through collaboration and cooperation. Our programs aim to celebrate and support the diversity of our patients and their communities.
