A Local Research Chair Is Recognized Worldwide
The Myeloma Canada Chair in Multiple Myeloma Research at the Université de Montréal was created in 2012 with the goal to improve patient care, to prioritize clinical research and to promote dissemination of knowledge on the various aspects surrounding multiple myeloma.
Dr Richard LeBlanc, chairholder, and Dr Jean Roy, co-investigator, along with many other collaborators developed an internationally recognized centre of excellence with regards to myeloma research, notably in allogeneic stem cell transplant research. Over the past several years, they have conducted many clinical trials on various aspects of multiple myeloma such as: first-line therapy in patients eligible for an autologous stem cell transplant; innovative research on allogeneic stem cell transplants; first-line therapy in patients not eligible for a transplant; maintenance therapy; therapy for recurrent or relapsing disease and much more. Not only does clinical research allow for an assessment of promising new therapies and the advancement of knowledge, but it also allows patients to access innovative treatments that would otherwise not be available to them.
Dr Richard LeBlanc
Dr Jean Roy
Amongst the studies funded by this Chair, the HMR-MM-001 study evaluates the impact of using bortezomib after an autologous transplant and allogeneic transplant in tandem. This study aims to prevent early relapses and graft versus host (GVH) disease during first-line therapy in young patients categorized as having high-risk disease. This study is entirely funded by this Chair and Dr LeBlanc is the principal investigator. Preliminary findings were presented at various hematology and transplant conferences such as the American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference in December 2018, the Société Francophone de la Greffe de Moelle et de Thérapie Cellulaire’s annual conference in November 2018 and the Canadian Blood and Marrow Transplant Group meeting in June 2018. One of the most ground-breaking studies is the Expanded Cord Blood Transplant to Treat High-risk Multiple Myeloma – ECT-001 (UM171) clinical trial for which Dr Jean Roy is the principal investigator. This study uses umbilical cord stem cells that, once grown by 30 to 50 times through an innovative in vitro process, offer a valid alternative to a conventional allogeneic stem cell transplant, with potentially less side-effects. 
Beyond the clinical trial, this Chair also leads many other important projects such as a myeloma cell bank, as well as local and national databases (including the MCRN Canadian Multiple Myeloma Database) with the objective of accelerating up innovation in multiple myeloma. With Myeloma Canada, the Chair works to highlight patients’ needs through Awareness Days that take place the National Assembly of Québec or meetings with the healthcare ministry of Quebec, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux . Dr LeBlanc and Nathalie Lachapelle, clinical nurse, are actively involved in Myeloma Canada’s educational programs acting as guest speakers at numerous events and webinars. 
Dr LeBlanc says that without a doubt the “Chair provides us the financial means to establish a research structure that is both stable and viable and allows us to accomplish innovative and independent research required for progress.” We invite you to follow the initiatives of Myeloma Canada Chair in Multiple Myeloma Research at the Université de Montréal via their website . This leading multidisciplinary team is doing tremendous work for the benefit of the myeloma community in Canada. Congratulations to the entire team, and let’s continue to make myeloma matter.