MMRF continues to drive the critical global research collaborations that lead to scientific breakthroughs and improved patient outcomes
Norwalk, Conn., September 20, 2025 – Today, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation® (MMRF) announced that data generated from several MMRF initiatives were presented at the prestigious 22nd International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting. The MMRF team presented five posters, while new findings from its Immune Atlas and CoMMpass℠ programs underpinned 18 additional presentations, reflecting the organization’s unique ability to drive key discoveries, collaborative research, and innovative clinical trials in multiple myeloma.
“Year after year, the MMRF leads research that accelerates the pace of discovery and directly translates into better treatments for patients with multiple myeloma,” said MMRF Chief Scientific Officer George Mulligan, PhD. “Insights from MMRF-led programs are powered by our large clinical and genomic datasets as well as our innovative clinical trial platforms. These demonstrate how our collaborative, data-driven approach is fueling discoveries to deepen our understanding of multiple myeloma.”
The novel MMRF-led research presented at IMS 2025 demonstrates the impact of the foundation’s flagship programs and illustrates how the MMRF’s approach to integrating research within trials addresses key questions that other trials cannot. Among the highlights:
In addition, the MMRF presented two reports highlighting the positive impact of the organization’s patient education and navigation programs. These initiatives empower people diagnosed with multiple myeloma to optimize their care, better communicate with their healthcare teams, and improve their outcomes.
Abstracts Presented by MMRF
Title: Daratumumab-based Quadruplet Therapy in Functional High-risk Relapse/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients Induces Changes Associated with CD8 T Cell Activation and Expansion in the Immune Microenvironment
Abstract: PA-204
Title: CoMMpass Explorer: An Interactive Platform to Explore Clinico-Genomic Data from Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients from the CoMMpass Observational Trial
Abstract: PA-205
Title: Exploration of Tumor Immune Gene Expression to Stratify Progression Risk in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients from CoMMpass With 1q Cytogenetic Abnormality
Abstract: PA-230
Title: Assessing Positive Behavioral Change in Myeloma Care: An MMRF Longitudinal Study
Abstract: PA-111
Title: Navigating Myeloma: Behavioral and Emotional Outcomes from a Patient-Centered Navigation Resource
Abstract: PA-112
Abstracts on MMRF Immune Atlas Program
Title: Longitudinal Multi-Omic Profiling Uncovers Immune Escape and Predictors of Response in Multiple Myeloma
Abstract: OA-73
Title: Integrating Microenvironment with Tumor Multi-Omic using Unsupervised Machine Learning to Model Heterogeneity Refines Multiple Myeloma Subtypes and Reveals Immune-Based Clusters with Prognostic Impact
Abstract: PA-234
Title: Ancestry-Associated Dysregulation of the Bone Marrow T Cell Compartment in Multiple Myeloma Revealed via scRNA-seq and CyTOF Profiling
Abstract: PA-254
Title: Multi-hit Cytogenetics Risk Events Associated with IFN-I Suppression across TME of NDMM Patients and Poor Outcomes
Abstract: PA-255
Title: Elevated Levels of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) in Newly-Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) Patients Reflect a Highly Proliferative and Genomically Complex Profile
Abstract: PA-231
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells that develops in bone marrow. This year, an estimated 35,750 new cases of multiple myeloma will be diagnosed—making it the second-most common blood cancer in the U.S.—and 12,590 people will die from the disease. New targeted agents and therapies have resulted in better outcomes, but most multiple myeloma patients eventually relapse.
About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is the largest nonprofit in the world solely focused on accelerating a cure for each and every multiple myeloma patient. We drive the development and delivery of next-generation therapies, leverage data to identify optimal and more personalized treatment approaches, and empower myeloma patients and the broader community with information and resources to extend their lives. Central to our mission is our commitment to advancing access so that all myeloma patients can benefit from the scientific and clinical advances we pursue. Since our inception, the MMRF has raised over $600 million for research, opened nearly 100 clinical trials, and helped bring 15+ FDA-approved therapies to market, which have tripled the life expectancy of myeloma patients. To learn more, visit www.themmrf.org.
Media Contact:
Adam Silverstein, Scient PR: adam@scientpr.com
The MMRF was truly honored and privileged to count Pat Williams among our closest friends and champions. The outpouring of love in honor of Pat’s life of service is genuine and deserved. His passion and vision for basketball was pioneering and his legacy lives on. He displayed a similar level of commitment and compassion to supporting and inspiring countless cancer patients and their loved ones. Pat was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2011 and served on the MMRF’s Board of Directors for several years. We are forever grateful for his service. He will be missed.
To learn more about Pat’s life and legacy, please see this article from US News & World Report: https://www.usnews.com/news/sports/articles/2024-07-18/magic-co-founder-pat-williams-who-helped-bring-team-to-orlando-dies-at-84
After a couple of years as the chief operating officer of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), Southport’s Andreini was named president and CEO in 2021, leading the prominent cancer research organization in its mission of accelerating the quest to find a cure for all patients with the rare blood cancer…
Initially, we used my husband’s diagnosis to show our support as we navigated this journey and joined a new “club” we really didn’t want to be a part of.
“JP Strong” is a phrase my children and I coined after my husband, JP, received a diagnosis of multiple myeloma in 2014. Initially, we used it to show our support as we navigated this journey and joined a new “club” we really didn’t want to be a part of.
JP got his diagnosis in April of that year and, immediately, he wanted to get involved in figuring out how to best manage his disease while remaining optimistic. A friend told him about the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and an upcoming 5K run in a neighboring town. We registered and set our fundraising goal and within a few days, he’d tripled his goal. Our friends and family all came out that day to support JP and it was an incredibly positive yet emotional experience. It gave him the boost he needed to know that with his positive mindset, paired with the efforts of the MMRF, he could do this.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval to teclistamab (Tecvayli, Janssen Biotech, Inc.) for adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.
The data created by the CoMMpass longitudinal genomic profiling study (NCT01454297) was employed in several significant clinical trials presented at the 19th International Myeloma Society (IMS) annual meeting, according to a press release from the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF).
The CoMMpass, or Clinical Outcomes in Multiple Myeloma Personal Assessment of Genetic Profiles trial, which collected data from an estimated 1150 patients worldwide, provided data that were cited in 19 abstracts at IMS, including 4 oral presentations. It was also announced that the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium presented results from the MyDRUG clinical trial (NCT03732703) that investigated targeted therapies with precision medicine in patients with multiple myeloma.
“Treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma can be extremely difficult despite the tremendous progress we have made,” said Hearn Jay Cho, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of the MMRF. “Uncovering new targets and therapies that act upon them may be helpful in the future for patients who develop resistance to current treatment such as CD38-targeting monoclonal antibodies….”
Grace Allison, B.S.N., RN, OCN, RN-BC, one of the patient navigators at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), humbly says she’s honored to help her incredible, inspiring patients along their journey fighting the incurable blood cancer.
As anyone who has sat at the bedside of a terminally ill patient knows, those who hold out a hand — literally or figuratively — to help a patient and their loved ones is a hero to them. Grace is one of these heroes to all of her patients as they battle against the complex cancer.
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) has announced the appointment of George Mulligan as its Chief Scientific Officer, where he will lead the development, execution, and communication of the organization’s overall research strategy to drive clinically meaningful scientific advances for myeloma patients. Mulligan brings…
MMRF Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hearn Cho joins Dr. P to highlight the importance of raising awareness about the impact of multiple myeloma on African American communities. This informative discussion is a must listen to for every Black family.
