Hope on the Horizon for Underserved Patients With Multiple Myeloma: Joseph Mikhael, MD

Multiple myeloma, the second most common blood cancer in the United States, has seen extraordinary progress over the past two decades. Average survival times have more than tripled, and some research even suggests the potential for up to 17 years of progression-free survival.

But this progress hasn’t been felt equally. African American and Latino American patients face profound disparities. Black patients are twice as likely to be diagnosed with multiple myeloma, yet often live only half as long as White patients. This isn’t because the disease is more aggressive—it’s because of barriers like delayed diagnoses, gaps in insurance coverage, and limited access to the newest therapies. And despite making up 20% of new cases—projected to rise to nearly a quarter by 2034—Black patients represent less than 8% of clinical trial participants.

On this episode, Mary Caffrey, executive editor of American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and AJMC's Evidence-Based Oncology™ (EBO), is joined by Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO, chief medical officer of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), who was the primary interviewee and source for a recent EBO article. His insights in that piece highlight how the IMF’s M-Power initiative builds trust and awareness through its 3-pillar approach: community engagement, primary care education, and improving care for patients.

During the discussion, Mikhael talked about how IMF's M-Power initiative is expanding with the organization's medical student scholars program, using patient narratives to encourage trial participation among Black patients, and navigating today’s political climate around diversity, equity, and inclusion—all while pushing toward a future where lifesaving treatments and cures reach every patient who needs them. Stay tuned for this enlightening discussion on bridging the clinical trial gap.

Show notes

1. Mikhael J, Caffrey M. How M-Power is building trust to raise awareness of multiple myeloma in the Black community. AJMC. August 12, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/how-m-power-is-building-trust-to-raise-awareness-of-multiple-myeloma-in-the-black-community
2. Mikhael J, Cichewicz A, Mearns ES, et al. Overall survival in patients with multiple myeloma in the U.S.: a systematic literature review of racial disparities. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2024;24(2):e1-e12. doi:10.1016/j.clml.2023.09.009
3. M-Power. International Myeloma Foundation. Accessed July 29, 2025. https://mpower.myeloma.org/
4. Flinn R, Caffrey M. As myeloma trials tackle frontline treatment, where are the Black patients? Am J Manag Care. 2024;30(12):SP952-SP956. doi:10.37765/ajmc.2024.89691
5. Blue B, Pierre A, Mikhael J. Culturally responsive care delivery in oncology: the example of multiple myeloma. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2023;23(9):651-659. doi:10.1016/j.clml.2023.05.005
6. Richardson PG, Jacobub SJ, Weller EA, et al., for the DETERMINATION investigators. Triplet therapy, transplantation, and maintenance until progression in myeloma. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(2):132-147. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2204925
7. McNulty R, Sonneveld P. Benefits of continuing subcutaneous daratumumab after initial quad therapy: Pieter Sonneveld, MD, PhD. AJMC.com. May 15, 2025. Accessed August 13, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/benefits-of-continuing-subcutaneous-daratumumab-after-initial-quad-therapy-pieter-sonneveld-md-phd