News Summary
Roger Williams Medical Center in Rhode Island has launched CARVYKTI, a new cell therapy for adult patients with multiple myeloma. This innovative treatment is unique to Rhode Island, providing hope for those who have not responded to previous therapies. CARVYKTI is a form of CAR-T therapy proven to significantly reduce disease progression risk. The medical center is committed to improving patient access to advanced treatments in the local community.
Providence, Rhode Island – Roger Williams Medical Center has announced the introduction of CARVYKTI, a groundbreaking new cell therapy specifically designed for adult patients battling multiple myeloma. This therapy is unique to Rhode Island, making the center the only facility in the state to provide this advanced treatment option.
Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that primarily affects blood plasma cells found in the bone marrow. This cancer disrupts the production of essential antibodies, which compromises the immune system and leads to a range of health issues for affected individuals. The introduction of CARVYKTI offers new hope for patients who have already undergone at least one form of treatment and continue to experience disease progression.
CARVYKTI is classified as a form of CAR-T therapy (chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy), which involves modifying a patient’s T cells to better attack cancer cells. Clinical trials have shown that CARVYKTI can reduce the risk of disease progression or death by an impressive 71% when compared to standard therapies. This significant improvement highlights the therapy’s potential effectiveness in treating patients who have not responded adequately to earlier treatments, particularly those who are refractory to lenalidomide.
Eligibility for CARVYKTI requires patients to have received at least one previous treatment that includes a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent. This stipulation ensures that the therapy is directed towards patients who have already faced challenges with their earlier treatments.
In addition to CARVYKTI, Roger Williams Medical Center has a history of introducing other CAR-T cell therapies, such as YESCARTA, TECARTUS, and KYMRIAH. This positions the medical center as a local leader in the advancement of cancer treatment, demonstrating its commitment to providing state-of-the-art care.
Jeffrey Liebman, the CEO of CharterCARE Health Partners, expressed the center’s dedication to delivering cutting-edge therapies to patients without necessitating travel to Boston. This commitment is crucial for improving patient access to advanced treatments closer to home.
To further inform the community about CARVYKTI and its benefits, Roger Williams Medical Center is hosting a forum featuring distinguished speakers Alli Ferguson and Satpal Kundra. This event aims to educate attendees about the new treatment options and the positive impact they can have on the fight against multiple myeloma.
As the only medical center in Rhode Island to offer CARVYKTI, Roger Williams Medical Center is poised to change the landscape of multiple myeloma treatment in the state. Patients can expect comprehensive care that leverages the latest advancements in cellular therapy to improve their outcomes and quality of life.
By making CARVYKTI available locally, Roger Williams Medical Center reinforces its role in the community and enhances the resources available to those facing the challenges of multiple myeloma. This innovative therapy represents a significant step forward in the ongoing battle against this complex and often challenging disease.
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Additional Resources
- ABC News: Multiple Myeloma
- Wikipedia: Multiple Myeloma
- American Cancer Society: Multiple Myeloma
- Google Search: CARVYKTI
- MD Anderson: CAR-T Cell Therapy for Multiple Myeloma
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cancer
- OncLive: Roger Williams Medical Center Introduces CARVYKTI
- Google News: Multiple Myeloma
- National Cancer Institute: Cell Therapy
- Google Scholar: CAR-T Therapy
