Disease areas
More about our work in Immunology
We strive to accelerate innovation of transformational medicines that deliver more years of life and quality of life for patients and families living with cancer.
MM is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the immune system
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the immune system. It is a complex and incurable cancer that arises from the clonal expansion of plasma cells in the bone marrow.
In MM, plasma cells in the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside the bones, become abnormal and multiply uncontrollably, leading to the formation of tumors or lesions in bone marrow and sometimes in other tissues.
As the abnormal plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, they interfere with the production of normal blood cells, leading to various symptoms and complications. Some common symptoms of multiple myeloma include bone pain, fatigue, weakness, frequent infections, anemia (low red blood cell count), kidney problems, and high levels of calcium in the blood.
Common symptoms of multiple myeloma include bone pain, fatigue, recurrent infections, and renal insufficiency.
Treatment options include proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, CAR -T- cell therapy, drugs with novel mechanisms of action, traditional chemotherapy, steroids.
Treatment plans are tailored to the individual patient’s condition and may also involve supportive care measures to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
According to the most recent data available, the estimated incidence of multiple myeloma worldwide is approximately 6.1 cases per 100,000 people per year. However, it is important to note that incidence rates can vary significantly by region and population. In some countries, such as the United States and some countries in Europe, the incidence of multiple myeloma tends to be higher, while in other regions, it may be lower.
Multiple myeloma is more commonly diagnosed in older adults, with the majority of cases occurring in people over the age of 65.
Sources
[15] WHO Classification of Tumours Editorial Board. (2017). “Tumours of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues”. International Agency for Research on Cancer. ISBN 978-92-832-4493-8.
[16] World Health Organization. (2017). Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. Revised 4th Edition. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Lyon, France.
[17] Swerdlow SH, Campo E, Harris NL, Jaffe ES, Pileri SA, Stein H, Thiele J, Vardiman JW. WHO Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues (Revised 4th Edition). Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2017.
[18] Kumar, S. K., Rajkumar, S. V., Dispenzieri, A., Lacy, M. Q., & Hayman, S. R. (2018). Multiple myeloma: diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 93(11), 1553-1570.
[19] Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Treatments for Multiple Myeloma. Retrieved September 1, 2023, from https://themmrf.org/diagnosis-and-treatment/treatment-options/
[20] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Treatment options for multiple myeloma. Retrieved September 27, 2021, from https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloma/patient/myeloma-treatment-pdq.
[21] Kazandjian, D. (2016). Multiple myeloma epidemiology and survival: A unique malignancy. Seminars in oncology, 43(6), 676-681. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2016.11.004.
[22] Cowan, A. J., Allen, C., Barac, A., Basaleem, H., Bensenor, I., Curado, M. P., … & Foreman, K. J. (2018). Global burden of multiple myeloma: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. JAMA oncology, 4(9), 1221-1227. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2018.2128.
[23] Key Statistics for Multiple Myeloma.” American Cancer Society, 15 Jan. 2021, www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/about/key-statistics.html.
Galapagos’ decentralized T-cell manufacturing platform consists of
The combination of these three core components allows for the administration of a fresh product, a median vein-to-vein time of 7 days (i.e. the time between T-cell collection and T-cell infusion), and greater physician oversight throughout the process.
The Cocoon® Platform is a registered trademark of Lonza Group AG
Factsheet
Do you need everything in one place about our efforts in redefining the future of cancer treatments?
Pioneer with us in Oncology
Do you want to pioneer for patients in Oncology? Discover our vacancies!
Disease areas
We strive to accelerate innovation of transformational medicines that deliver more years of life and quality of life for patients and families living with cancer.
Partnerships
We combine internal and external innovation to add new capabilities, technologies and product candidates. Let’s start #PioneeringForPatients, together!