Patients Work With Physicians to Advance Nationwide Optimized Care for Those Living With Multiple Myeloma
TORONTO, Sept. 1, 2016 /CNW/ - The Myeloma Canada Research Network (MCRN) is proud to launch the MCRN Canadian Multiple Myeloma Database – a first of its kind in Canada - that will capture relevant data and work toward optimizing the care of Canadians living with multiple myeloma across our country. Developed in full collaboration with patients and medical experts, the MCRN Canadian Multiple Myeloma Database will inform clinical practice, myeloma research, clinical trial development and sound health policies for multiple myeloma patients. Working as a nationwide, multi-centre, initiative, the MCRN Canadian Multiple Myeloma Database will become a cornerstone to optimizing clinical outcomes using evidence-based decision making for the treatment and care of multiple myeloma patients across Canada.
"The MCRN Canadian Multiple Myeloma Database will help inform current Canadian benchmarks for successes in treatment therapies using real-world Canadian evidence," says Dr. Chris Venner, Chair, MCRN Canadian Multiple Myeloma Database and clinical lead for the Malignant Hematology Program at the Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton. "We currently generalize international data that is not always reflective of the Canadian experience, especially with regards to drug access, and so the patient evidence captured through this database will help inform our current limited benchmarks on Canadian successes in therapies and available drugs."
In a 2012 national survey of Canadian myeloma patients, research was identified as a leading priority amongst the patient community. Like many chronic diseases impacting Canadians, data and research tend to be based on U.S and European results. There is a void in multiple myeloma research that is Canadian in scope and reflective of the unique patient journey we experience and manage in Canada. The MCRN Canadian Multiple Myeloma Database will inform the design of Canadian-based clinical trials and how we can participate in international trials.
"The MCRN has provided a forum to support patient and medical expert dialogue to identify and understand the true multiple myeloma experience in Canada. The database could not have been possible without the visionary leadership of Dr. Venner and the collaboration of the MCRN centres across Canada, industry sponsors Janssen and Takeda Canada and our donors across the country," said Aldo Del Col, Co-Founder and Chairman, Myeloma Canada and Myeloma Canada Research Network. "A necessary, collaborative effort between patients, physicians, industry and governments, the MCRN Canadian Multiple Myeloma Database will be a vital resource for patient care and clinical research for both national and international trials."
"This database is the result of collaborative partnerships between both public and private organizations including: Myeloma Canada, MCRN, the Bloom Chair for Myeloma Research at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network (UHN), MCRN centres across Canada and our pharmaceutical partners," said Dr. Donna Reece, Chair, Multiple Myeloma Clinical Trials Group of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group and Professor and Director, Program for Multiple Myeloma and Related Diseases in the Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University of Toronto. "The MCRN Canadian Multiple Myeloma Database will identify different risk groups as well as gaps in myeloma outcomes. By accurately assessing where we are now, we can chart the best course for future myeloma research in Canada. The Database, therefore, is a key component in our search for a cure of myeloma."
About the Myeloma Canada Research Network (MCRN)
The MCRN is the first and only national academic myeloma research group bringing together Canada's leading myeloma investigators from 20 centres in nine provinces across the country. Focusing on high-impact Phase I and II clinical trials, the MCRN brings meaningful value through its network of internationally recognized investigators who are willing to share their expertise in advancing patient-focused, leading-edge myeloma research and technologies to identify new treatments and make them available through its member institutions located in both large urban and smaller communities across Canada.
About Myeloma Canada
Myeloma Canada is a non-profit, grassroots, patient-focused organization created by, and for, people living with multiple myeloma. As the only national organization exclusively devoted to the Canadian myeloma community, Myeloma Canada has been making myeloma matter since 2005. Myeloma Canada seeks to strengthen the voice of the Canadian myeloma community by working with leading myeloma researchers and clinicians, local support groups, governments and other cancer organizations to improve the quality of life of myeloma patients, their caregivers and their families through education, awareness, advocacy and research. www.myeloma.ca
SOURCE Myeloma Canada
For more information, confirm your attendance and or request an interview, please contact: Rob McEwan, Argyle Public Relationships, [email protected], 416-968-7311 ext. 242; Chriselle D'Souza, Argyle Public Relationships, [email protected], 416-968-7311 ext. 246
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