Beyond the Science: Understanding the Patient Journey to Shape the Future of Myeloma Care
Cancer is a pervasive and complex disease that doesn’t just affect the patient; it touches families, friends, and entire communities, causing a ripple effect of uncertainty and disruption. With cancer affecting an estimated one in three Americans1, there is a prevalent need for new treatment options, especially for those living with difficult-to-treat cancers like multiple myeloma (MM). This fuels our focus on patient-centric innovation with the goal of addressing critical gaps in care and ultimately easing the burden MM places on people living with the disease and those who care for them.
Understanding the Patient Experience
In the progress against cancer, the science is critical, but being purpose-driven is paramount. Tom Snow, General Manager of US Oncology, shares that our purpose is rooted in personal experiences with cancer that inspire our commitment to improving care. “The word cancer bears a certain weight,” Snow explains, “we’ve all been touched by it in some way. So, to be able to come to work every day and do something that has the potential to benefit people living with cancer is really meaningful.”
The word cancer bears a certain weight – we’ve all been touched by it in some way. So, to be able to come to work every day and do something that has the potential to benefit people living with cancer is really meaningful.
Tom Snow
General Manager, US Oncology
In MM specifically, we strive to better understand the unique needs and challenges people impacted by this blood cancer face. While there have been significant advancements in the treatment landscape over the last decade, we know that MM remains an incurable disease that can be associated with significant burden, as patients often relapse and can become refractory to therapies they have received. Elizabeth Franklin, Head of US Public Affairs and Patient Advocacy, Oncology acknowledges the importance of continuing to work towards addressing these unmet needs. “We can't take our foot off the gas,” Franklin emphasizes, “lives have evolved, treatments have evolved and improved people's lives, but that doesn't mean that we're out of the woods.”
While these advancements offer hope, they can also introduce complexity. "The good news is that treatment has advanced so dramatically,” Franklin explains, "but it remains challenging because you are asking people living with this disease to think through really complex treatments, to understand the science, to keep up with an ever-evolving landscape of treatments, which is tough." Sanofi recognizes navigating treatment decisions can be overwhelming, and the burden of a MM diagnosis often extends beyond physical symptoms, impacting one’s mental and emotional wellbeing. That’s why we collaborate with patient advocacy groups, whose partnerships are crucial in providing patients with vital resources, empowering those living with cancer with knowledge and connecting them with a community that understands their unique journey.
Sanofi’s Commitment to Patients and Innovation
In an effort to align science and technology with evolving patient needs, we're committed to integrating patient perspectives into every step of the clinical decision-making process – creating opportunities for open dialogue before, during and after the start of new studies. "It's not a check the box exercise. It's about collaboration,” says Franklin, “at every point along the way, we are building in the patient experience." Snow echoes the importance of hearing directly from those affected to keep their needs at the center of our research, noting, “getting patients involved in the discussion–designing trials in the right way, engaging the community in the building and implementation of a trial–it's absolutely essential.”
It's not a check the box exercise. It's about collaboration... At every point along the way, we are building in the patient experience.
Elizabeth Franklin
Head of US Public Affairs and Patient Advocacy, Oncology
One way we aim to improve the multiple myeloma treatment experience is by exploring new methods of administration, with the goal of potentially easing the treatment burden for MM patients and their care teams.
Furthermore, our research is focused on exploring the potential of novel combination therapies. By activating the immune system to fight MM cells through multiple mechanisms and technologies, we hope to address common challenges such as relapse and drug resistance.
Driven by scientific innovation and an unwavering commitment to patients, we remain dedicated in our mission to help extend lives, ease the burden and help restore hope to those impacted by cancer.
References
1. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). What is cancer? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer/what-is-cancer.html