New immunotherapy could offer hope for multiple myeloma patients

(Aging Untold) — It’s been a decade since Susan Lehman was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer that develops in plasma cells in the bone marrow. “I trust God with my life and with what he has in his plans for me, and so that gave me a sense of peace,” Lehman said. “But it’s still a scary thing.” Multiple myeloma is treatable but not curable, Lehman said. The risk increases with age, and the average age at diagnosis is 70, according to WebMD. Lehman, a 60-year-old mother of four, has been in and out of remission over the years. She has undergone two stem cell transplants and several other treatments. A new treatment option Dr. Sumit Madan, an oncologist with Banner Health, had Lehman try something new: CARVYKTI. “These types of therapies have been revolutionizing the way we treat multiple myeloma now,” Madan said. Two months into the treatment, Lehman said the immunotherapy has made a big difference. “I mean, I’m back out hiking,” she said. CARVYKTI could be an option f