Palliative Care for Multiple Myeloma
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how early palliative care might improve the quality of life for people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of cancer affecting blood cells. Palliative care, also known as supportive care, end-of-life care, or symptom management, focuses on easing symptoms like pain, tiredness, and sadness, which often trouble those with this condition. Participants will receive palliative care alongside their regular treatment for one year. The trial seeks individuals diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the last eight weeks who are receiving treatment at a Cleveland Clinic facility. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to enhance quality of life while contributing to important research.
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
What prior data suggests that palliative care is safe for multiple myeloma patients?
Research shows that palliative care is safe for people with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Studies have found that adding palliative care, which focuses on comfort and quality of life, helps manage symptoms like pain and tiredness. This care improves mood and overall well-being. No evidence indicates any serious side effects from palliative care itself, and patients generally tolerate it well. Previous studies have not reported significant negative effects linked to palliative care in multiple myeloma patients, suggesting it is a safe option alongside regular cancer treatments.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about early palliative care integration for multiple myeloma because it focuses on enhancing quality of life alongside standard treatments. Unlike traditional approaches that primarily target the disease itself, this method emphasizes symptom management and emotional support right from the start of treatment. By integrating palliative care early, the approach aims to address pain, fatigue, and other symptoms more effectively, potentially leading to improved overall well-being and patient satisfaction throughout the treatment journey.
What evidence suggests that early palliative care is effective for improving quality of life in multiple myeloma patients?
Research shows that starting palliative care (PC) early can greatly benefit people with multiple myeloma (MM). In this trial, participants will receive early PC integration alongside their standard MM treatment. Studies have found that early PC addition improves patient outcomes, such as reducing symptoms, lifting mood, and enhancing overall quality of life. Specifically, patients who received early PC reported better control of symptoms like pain and fatigue. These improvements help patients cope more effectively with the challenges of MM treatment and daily life. Although MM cannot be cured, this approach helps patients live more comfortably with their condition.26789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Renato Samala, MD
Principal Investigator
The Cleveland Clinic
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for English-speaking individuals recently diagnosed with symptomatic Multiple Myeloma, within eight weeks. They should be able to perform daily activities with varying degrees of assistance (ECOG status 0-3) and must be receiving care at a Cleveland Clinic facility. Those who have already seen a Palliative Care provider or require immediate hospice care cannot participate.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Initial Palliative Care Integration
Participants meet with a member of the outpatient PC team within three weeks of enrollment
Ongoing Palliative Care and Standard Treatment
Participants receive 12 months of palliative care with concurrent standard treatment for MM, including QOL assessments
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Palliative Care
Trial Overview
The study is examining the impact of early Palliative Care on quality of life for new Multiple Myeloma patients. It involves assessing symptom relief and well-being using specific questionnaires like FACT-MM and HADS during the treatment process.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
12 months of PC with concurrent standard treatment for MM, QOL assessments
Palliative Care is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada for the following indications:
- Symptom management for various conditions including cancer, neurological disorders, and end-of-life care
- Symptom management for various conditions including cancer, neurological disorders, and end-of-life care
- Symptom management for various conditions including cancer, neurological disorders, and end-of-life care
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Integrating palliative care into multiple myeloma ...
Patient survival after discharge from the PCU varied, with 45% of patients dying in the hospital and the remaining 55% having a median overall survival of 1.4 ...
Access to palliative care in patients with multiple myeloma ...
This study explores potential associations between race, ethnicity, socioeconomic factors, and PC access for MM patients in the USA.
Early Palliative Care for Patients With Multiple Myeloma ...
Early palliative care alongside usual cancer care has been shown to improve patient outcomes such as symptom burden, mood, and quality of life in patients with ...
4.
hematologyadvisor.com
hematologyadvisor.com/news/multiple-myeloma-palliative-approach-care-untapped-benefit-patients/Palliative Approach to Care an Untapped Benefit for ...
Palliative approach to care (PC) can offer many benefits to patients with multiple myeloma (MM), but more research is needed to determine how it ...
Patients with multiple myeloma referred for palliative care ...
The median time lapse between MM diagnosis and first PC visit was 355 days, quite early considering that MM has a median survival of 7 years.
Integrating palliative care into multiple myeloma ...
Methods: This retrospective single-center study examines the outcome of 22 MM patients admitted to the Division of Palliative Medicine at the ...
Association of Palliative Care Involvement and Infectious ...
Pain is the most common symptom in multiple myeloma (MM), and palliative care (PC) involvement often focuses on symptom management.
8.
bloodcancerstoday.com
bloodcancerstoday.com/post/factors-associated-with-palliative-care-use-among-patients-with-multiple-myelomaPalliative Care Use Among Patients with Multiple Myeloma
The study found that patients with MM aged 70 years and older had 1.30 times higher odds (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-1.42) of receiving ...
9.
ajmc.com
ajmc.com/view/end-of-life-care-in-multiple-myeloma-still-requires-fine-tuning-despite-improvementsEnd-of-Life Care in Multiple Myeloma Still Requires Fine- ...
Overall, patients who died within 180 of receiving their MM diagnosis were less likely to receive palliative care within 30 days of death ...
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