AbbVie, IMF to Partner on Cancer Research

On March 21, 2018, AbbVie and the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) announced that they will partner to study the role of a genetic mutation in outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

"There are significant knowledge gaps about multiple myeloma, and among these gaps is the role of genetic mutations in response to treatment, and the related outcomes for patients," said Brian G.M. Durie, MD, IMF chairman, in a company press release. "This study has the potential to provide valuable real-world evidence that can help advance care for patients, and we are proud to join forces with AbbVie to further advance efforts in research and education in multiple myeloma."

The goal of the research is to determine the overall survival of patients with MM and the t(11;14) translocation, which is present in approximately 16–24% of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)-tested MM cases. IMF researchers from a minimum of 30 global participating sites will retrospectively review and characterize the outcomes of 1500 patients with the t(11;14) translocation identified on FISH, making this study one of the largest and most comprehensive MM studies to date, according to AbbVie.

Other objectives for the study include response rates, progression-free survival, time to progression, time-to-next treatment, duration of responses, and overall survival with different regimens among patients with the t(11;14) translocation. Additional objectives include determining prognostic factors for overall survival among MM patients with t(11;14) translocation and to identify the spectrum of co-existing genetic abnormalities among this patient population, AbbVie reports.

"The partnership with the International Myeloma Foundation underscores our commitment to meaningfully advance the understanding of blood cancers and continue identifying scientific approaches that have the potential to improve care for patients with multiple myeloma," said Neil Gallagher, MD, PhD, vice president and head, global oncology development, AbbVie, in the press release. "We look forward to the findings and to continue strengthening our ongoing research efforts to provide transformative therapies for patients with multiple myeloma and other blood cancers."

Source: AbbVie