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Ask An Expert II: The Myeloma Spectrum and COVID-19


Listen in to our physicians' discussion on the impacts of COVID-19 on multiple myeloma and precursor condition treatment plans, pre-existing systemic inequalities, and the importance of research to solve problems that impact our world moving forward.


Dr. Irene Ghobrial

Multiple Myeloma Hematologist and Director, Center for Prevention of Progressive Blood Cancers, Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Principal Investigator, The PROMISE Study and Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School


Dr. Karen Winkfield

Director of Hematologic Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC and Associate Director for Community Outreach and Engagement for the Comprehensive Cancer Center and Director, Office of Health Equity


Dr. Craig Cole

Assistant Professor Division Hematology and Oncology, Michigan State University Breslin Medical Center


Moderator – Ms. Annie Cowan

Clinical Research Coordinator, Center for Prevention of Progressive Blood Cancers, Dana Farber Cancer Center


Webinar Summary

  • In this second installment of Ask An Expert: Myeloma Panel Series, panelists discuss:

  • Impact of COVID-19

  • Possible risks for people with multiple myeloma and precursor conditions and

  • their treatment plans; pre-existing systemic inequalities

  • Impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients and the greater society

  • Importance of research to solve problems that impact our world moving forward

Topics with Timecodes


Health Disparities – African Americans and Multiple Myeloma (3.33)

  • Why are African Americans and those of African decent at higher risk for multiple myeloma and precursory conditions?

  • The PROMISE Study – its value and benefit for early screening for multiple myeloma

  • Why is multiple myeloma not often discussed among African Americans or people of African descent?

Systemic Inequalities in Our Health Care System Exasperated by COVID-19 and Steps to Improve Them (11.56)

  • Uninsured patients and cancer screenings, diagnoses and bridging them to care

  • Collaborating with social workers; population health navigation programs and others to assist the uninsured in getting the medical care they need

Precursor Conditions and COVID-19 Risks (22.58)

  • Defining MGUS and smoldering myeloma and understanding the difference between them

  • Importance of early diagnosis and monitoring precursor conditions or consider early treatment if needed

  • Impact on the immune system and other body functions

  • Covid-19 risk concerns for MGUS and smoldering myeloma

COVID-19 and Cancer Treatment (34:27)

  • Weighing benefits and risks of cancer treatment during COVID-19

  • Importance of the PROMISE Study

  • How can PCROWD and PROMISE Study participants contribute to additional research during the COVID-19 pandemic?

  • Defining a COVID-19 positive test result, IGG and IGM tests

  • Changing or delaying treatment plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic and their impact

Participant Q&As (49.51)

  • Obesity as a modifiable risk factor for cancer and COVID-19 and in the context of the African American community

  • Blood values for MGUS and smoldering myeloma patients that should be considered when determining COVID-19 risks

  • Are MGUS and smoldering myeloma patients at increased risk for post-COVID-19 forms of the virus?

Thank you for your interest! To learn more about enrolling in studies to improve outcomes, visit PROMISE Study or PCROWD Study today.

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