Research
How do we create more therapies?
As multiple myeloma is unfortunately a cancer that does not yet have a cure, it is vital that research continues to help better understand the disease and develop new treatments. This can only be done with the involvement of patients who share their experience of the disease and give consent for their data and tissue to be used in research studies and clinical trials. This will ensure that patients with advanced stages of MM can be offered options of effective treatments and eventually a cure. Only with research in the laboratory and through clinical trials can this disease become a cancer that is curable as has been the case in many other cancers. It is important that patients in Ireland are aware of the positive power of research for change and developments of new treatments for MM.
What is research?
Doctors, nurses, healthcare practitioers and scientists need to carry out research to learn more about its causes and how it progresses, in addition to finding and testing new therapies. Studying the biology of MM cells in the lab, developing and testing new therapies to progress into clinical trials, and identifying risk factors and patterns for how the disease develops or progresses are all important forms of research going on worldwide. it is also important to study the patients who are living with multiple myeloma to develop better physical, dietary and psychological care of patients and their families. Research can take place in a variety of settings including the hospital, the laboratory, GP practices, nurse led clinics and even in the patients home. Very little data exists on Irish MM patients and the Irish Multiple Myeloma Society aims to address this by promoting state of the art research and clinical trials in Ireland.
Why is research important?
MM research is crucial for many reasons. Firstly, MM is an incurable cancer that has profound effects on patients and their families. The burden of the disease can be lessened, and patient lives improved, with research into the cancer itself and the development of more effective treatments. Secondly, MM is a complicated disease with numerous forms affecting different organs. Therefore research is needed to understand how the cancer spreads and becomes resistant to treatment. Not all treatments are the same and some patients will suffer side effects of treatments that mean a treatment will have to be stopped. Research is needed to understand why this happens to some patients and not others. Only with better research can MM become a disease that is possible to cure.
MM Research in Ireland
Research into MM in Ireland takes place at several hospitals and universities all over the country. This includes laboratory based research led by scientists and also clinical research which can be led by doctors, nurses, pharmacists, students etc. e.g. audits, reports, clinical trials that increase our understanding of MM in Ireland. Research can involve the hospital a patient receives their treatment at, but also other hospitals and universities nationally and internationally. Ask at your treatment centre about what research is taking part at your local hospital or country-wide. Patients can get involved in research by advocating for themselves, by giving consent for their data or tissue to be used for research, or by participating in a clinical trial. Research benefits all patients and can have powerful impact on development of new treatments, but also on the development of local and national cancer strategy and policy.
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