Seattle Multiple Myeloma Rounds 2020

Dr. Blau founded All4Cure after 27-years as aProfessor of Medicine/Hematology and physician scientist at the University ofWashington (UW). His research has spanned hematopoiesis, gene therapy, stemcell biology, genomics and cancer, consistently focusing on bringing the verylatest research advances to patients with heretofore incurable diseases. At UWhe founded the Center for Cancer Innovation, which brings together adistributed network of investigators to help patients with advanced cancer. Dr. Blau co-founded the UW Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine andchaired the Molecular and Cellular Hematology Study Section for the NationalInstitutes of Health. He has authored more than 85 scientific publications.Diagnosed himself with myeloma in April 2015, Dr. Blau infuses All4Cure with anincredible sense of urgency to improve the prospects for cancer patients nowand in the future.

Dr. Cowan is an assistant professor of medicine at the UWand Fred Hutch where he focuses on multiple myeloma and other plasma celldisorders. His primary interests lie in clinical research and databaseanalysis. He is currently conducting several trials, notably, a study of BCMACAR T cells with a gamma secretase inhibitor, and a study of post-CAR T cellnivolumab. He is also an active member of the Fred Hutch IRB.

It’s important for patients to have as much information as they want to know about their disease so that they can make decisions about their care based on knowledge. Today the treatment outlook for patients with multiple myeloma has never been brighter, however, the many new drugs that are now available and the soon to be approved drugs on the horizon makes choosing the right combinations somewhat complicated. By learning about their illness and the many treatments available, patients can receive the best most up to date care while minimizing the side effects of therapy.

Dr. Libby is a physician with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and an Associate Professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at University of Washington School of Medicine as well as Associate Professor in the Clinical Research Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. 

Dr. Libby is a board-certified hematologist who specializes intreating patients with multiple myeloma, amyloidosis and other plasma cell(white blood cell) disorders. He provides daily care for patients who are newlydiagnosed and those who have relapsed. He also has two decades of experienceconducting clinical trials. One focus of his research is the use of monoclonalantibodies in the treatment of multiple myeloma. A targeted drug therapy, theseantibodies attack myeloma cells while leaving healthy tissue intact. This classof drugs has proven effective for treating other conditions such as lymphoma,so there is hope that these antibodies, when combined with other treatments,can also improve outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma.

Dr. Libby enjoys collaborating with investigators across the country to treatpatients with this Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM). Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare form of cancer that causes large amounts of an abnormal protein to build up in the blood. He is also active in researching drug therapies,such as rituximab, for the treatment of WM and other forms of lymphoma. In2017, Dr. Libby was invited to present the latest clinical trial news on WM for aneducation forum hosted by the International Waldenstrom’s MacroglobulinemiaFoundation.