Beth Yagoda Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer | Mount Sinai Beth Israel
Beth Yagoda Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer | Mount Sinai Beth Israel
The Center of Excellence for Multiple Myeloma at The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai is emphasizing the importance of awareness during Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month in March 2025. Multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting blood plasma cells in the bone marrow, continues to challenge healthcare despite significant advancements in treatment and research.
Life expectancy for patients has significantly increased over the past forty years due to innovative therapies. Mount Sinai's program is recognized as the largest in New York City and among the largest globally, treating over 600 new patients annually. Dr. Samir Parekh, Director of the Center, states that their team provides expert care for this complex disease: "Multiple myeloma is a complex disease, and it is best treated by specialists who see myeloma patients daily and have a deep understanding of its biology."
The AQUILA trial has been pivotal in exploring treatments for smoldering myeloma, a precursor to multiple myeloma. This study focuses on using daratumumab to delay disease progression. Dr. Cesar Rodriguez Valdes highlights the significance of early intervention: “Our participation in the DETER study is an essential step toward more personalized early-intervention treatments for multiple myeloma that can provide an overall survival benefit.”
Mount Sinai's CAR-T cell therapy program represents another advancement by utilizing patients' immune cells against multiple myeloma. The CARTITUDE 6 clinical trial marks a milestone as CAR-T therapy becomes part of initial treatment options. According to Dr. Adriana Rossi: “CAR-T therapy represents a paradigm shift in how we treat multiple myeloma.”
Minimal residual disease (MRD) testing offers new ways to assess treatment responses accurately. Supported by funding from the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Mount Sinai researchers are working on novel approaches for high-risk patients. Dr. Joshua Richter emphasizes MRD’s role: “MRD testing is a crucial tool in determining how well patients are responding to treatment and in shaping future therapeutic strategies.”
Mount Sinai remains at the forefront of multiple myeloma research and patient care, contributing significantly to new therapy approvals over recent years.
For further information about their services, visit Mount Sinai's website.
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