We are seeing some very promising results with Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in early phase clinical trials for people with heavily pre-treated relapsed or refractory myeloma. More studies are needed to properly evaluate short- and long-term risks and benefits.

Two new CAR T-cell clinical trials are being conducted at  the National Institute of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland (10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA) and both are including Canadian myeloma patients in their sample group. Please see below for more about the trials and participation criteria:

1.            T-cells Expressing an Anti-SLAMF7 CAR for Treating Multiple Myeloma

• SLAMF7 expression must be detected on the myeloma cell by flow cytometry or immunohistochemistry
• Patients must have received at least 3 different prior myeloma treatment regimens and prior exposure to an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) and a proteasome inhibitor

2.            T-cells Expressing a Novel Fully-Human Anti-BCMA CAR for Treating Multiple Myeloma

• BCMA expression must be detected on the myeloma cell by flow cytometry or immunohistochemistry
• Patients must have received at least 3 different prior myeloma treatment regimens and prior exposure to an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) and a proteasome inhibitor

Please speak to your doctor about your potential eligibility for these trials. 

Note:  Travel to the United States (US) and housing would be the patient’s responsibility. Once enrolled in one of the two clinical trials, transportation from inside the US border is covered by the trial. The trial also provides a stipend to help with housing costs. There is no cost for the medical care received under the clinical trial research protocol at the NIH Clinical Center.

For more information, please contact the NIH Clinical Center [email protected] or at 1-240 858‑3190 directly (long distance phone charges may apply) as Myeloma Canada is not involved with the trials.

To learn more about Clinical Trials as a Treatment Option:

• Download Myeloma Canada’s Clinical Trials as a Treatment Option InfoGuide or call us, toll-free, at 1-888 798‑5771 for your hardcopy.
• Check out the following videos:

Whiteboard video: Understanding Clinical Trials in Myeloma
InfoVideo: Participating in a Multiple Myeloma Clinical Trial