NCI trial looks to recruit patients with smoldering multiple myeloma

The National Cancer Institute is recruiting patients for a randomized phase III clinical trial to determine whether high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) would benefit from early treatment.

Standard of care for SMM is observation only, with active therapeutics reserved until patients have progressed to symptomatic multiple myeloma. For patients with SMM who advance to full-blown myeloma, the median life span is 3 to 5 years. Many patients with high-risk SMM might not see an oncologist until they have symptoms, and the disorder is often first identified by primary care physicians.

The NCI trial, E3A06, is led by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group, and recruitment is taking place at sites across the country. Patient eligibility will be determined by serum protein electrophoresis, bone marrow, and free light chain assessment. Any patient referred to E3A06 will obtain a thorough evaluation, and patients in the observation arm will be monitored closely.

If SMM progresses, it is likely to be identified sooner because of study participation, and appropriate interventions will be discussed with the patient.

Physicians with patients who may be candidates for the trial can find additional information about enrollment online.