The Myeloma Minutes

Dr Jam Katari and Dr Sally Moore are joined by leading myeloma experts to look back on 2025’s biggest breakthroughs; from early treatment for smouldering myeloma to cutting-edge CAR-T therapy made inside the body. This is part 1 of a seasonal special, featuring Professor Karthik Ramasamy and Dr. Ceri Bygrave. Please ensure you listen to our second part next week. 🌟 Three key take-away points Early action: Could treating smouldering myeloma stop the disease before it starts? Sharper tools: New genetic tests are redefining what “high-risk” myeloma really means. Future now: “In vivo” CAR-T therapy turns your own body into the treatment factory—real-life medical sci-fi! For extra content and more resources, please visit our website: https://www.themyelomaminutes.com/ We are proudly partnered with Myeloma UK for this episode. For more credible myeloma advice, please visit: https://www.myeloma.org.uk/ The Myeloma UK InfoLine is: 0800 980 3332   This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical guidance regarding your health concerns   ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Dr. Jam Kothari Dr Jam Kothari (@myeloma_medic) is an Oxford based blood cancer doctor, specialising in the treatment of multiple myeloma and associated conditions. He has been a consultant for a decade, and leads the provision of myeloma care for Oxford and neighbouring areas. He lectures regionally and nationally and leads clinical trials investigating the use of new treatments for myeloma. He is a strong believer in patient based, holistic care, delivered with warmth, clarity and integrity.   Dr. Sally Moore Dr Sally Moore is a Bristol based consultant who specialises in treating patients living with multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders. She oversees the delivery of clinical research studies for myeloma patients and has academic interests in how to maximise quality of life for patients and improve outcomes in older, less fit patients.  She frequently contributes to myeloma related educational events for fellow doctors and healthcare professionals at a local, regional and national level and is an active member of the UK Myeloma Research Alliance and an executive member of the UK Myeloma Society.

This episode introduces Talquetamab - a newly approved bispecific antibody for relapsed myeloma - explaining how it works, who it’s for, and what side effects patients should expect and prepare for. 📌Key Takeaways: Talquetamab is a brand-new treatment targeting GPRC5D - offering another effective option after several previous therapies. Early side effects like fever, blood pressure changes or confusion are monitored closely and are almost always reversible. Taste changes, mouth soreness, skin issues and nail changes are common - but they can usually be managed so patients can stay on the treatment. For extra content and more resources, please visit our website: https://www.themyelomaminutes.com/ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical guidance regarding your health concerns   ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Dr. Jam Kothari Dr Jam Kothari (@myeloma_medic) is an Oxford based blood cancer doctor, specialising in the treatment of multiple myeloma and associated conditions. He has been a consultant for a decade, and leads the provision of myeloma care for Oxford and neighbouring areas. He lectures regionally and nationally and leads clinical trials investigating the use of new treatments for myeloma. He is a strong believer in patient based, holistic care, delivered with warmth, clarity and integrity.   Dr. Sally Moore Dr Sally Moore is a Bristol based consultant who specialises in treating patients living with multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders. She oversees the delivery of clinical research studies for myeloma patients and has academic interests in how to maximise quality of life for patients and improve outcomes in older, less fit patients.  She frequently contributes to myeloma related educational events for fellow doctors and healthcare professionals at a local, regional and national level and is an active member of the UK Myeloma Research Alliance and an executive member of the UK Myeloma Society.

Sean Molloy, renown spinal surgeon at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) NHS Trust in Stanmore explains how tailored bracing, breakthrough bone healing in myeloma, physiotherapy and minimally invasive vertebroplasty can transform pain, mobility and long-term spinal stability.   📌Key Takeaways: A brace can act like “nature’s own surgery”, guiding powerful myeloma-driven bone regrowth to prevent long-term spinal collapse. The first 12 weeks after diagnosis are critical — the right brace and mobility plan can stop irreversible forward bending (kyphosis). For selected patients, vertebroplasty can provide rapid pain relief, restoring function when a single fracture refuses to settle. For extra content and more resources, please visit our website: https://www.themyelomaminutes.com/ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical guidance regarding your health concerns   ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Dr. Jam Kothari Dr Jam Kothari (@myeloma_medic) is an Oxford based blood cancer doctor, specialising in the treatment of multiple myeloma and associated conditions. He has been a consultant for a decade, and leads the provision of myeloma care for Oxford and neighbouring areas. He lectures regionally and nationally and leads clinical trials investigating the use of new treatments for myeloma. He is a strong believer in patient based, holistic care, delivered with warmth, clarity and integrity.   Dr. Sally Moore Dr Sally Moore is a Bristol based consultant who specialises in treating patients living with multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders. She oversees the delivery of clinical research studies for myeloma patients and has academic interests in how to maximise quality of life for patients and improve outcomes in older, less fit patients.  She frequently contributes to myeloma related educational events for fellow doctors and healthcare professionals at a local, regional and national level and is an active member of the UK Myeloma Research Alliance and an executive member of the UK Myeloma Society.

Dr Jam & Sally unpack what neuropathy is, why it happens in myeloma treatment, and how patients can recognise, prevent and manage it to protect their quality of life. 📌Key Takeaways: Know the signs early – tingling, numbness or pain shouldn’t be ignored; speak up before symptoms worsen. Treatment can be adjusted – modern dosing and combinations make neuropathy less common and more manageable. You don’t have to live with it – there are effective ways to ease nerve pain and protect your long-term wellbeing. For extra content and more resources, please visit our website: https://www.themyelomaminutes.com/ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical guidance regarding your health concerns   ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Dr. Jam Kothari Dr Jam Kothari (@myeloma_medic) is an Oxford based blood cancer doctor, specialising in the treatment of multiple myeloma and associated conditions. He has been a consultant for a decade, and leads the provision of myeloma care for Oxford and neighbouring areas. He lectures regionally and nationally and leads clinical trials investigating the use of new treatments for myeloma. He is a strong believer in patient based, holistic care, delivered with warmth, clarity and integrity.   Dr. Sally Moore Dr Sally Moore is a Bristol based consultant who specialises in treating patients living with multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders. She oversees the delivery of clinical research studies for myeloma patients and has academic interests in how to maximise quality of life for patients and improve outcomes in older, less fit patients.  She frequently contributes to myeloma related educational events for fellow doctors and healthcare professionals at a local, regional and national level and is an active member of the UK Myeloma Research Alliance and an executive member of the UK Myeloma Society.

Dr Jam & Sally unpack what remission, relapse and refractory disease truly mean for people living with myeloma — and explore how close we are to talking about cure.   📌Key Takeaways: Remission ≠ cure – myeloma can be controlled for years, even if it never fully disappears. Monitoring matters – blood tests, bone marrow checks and scans together tell the full story. Hope is growing – deeper remissions and new tests mean “functional cure” is now within reach. For extra content and more resources, please visit our website: https://www.themyelomaminutes.com/ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical guidance regarding your health concerns   ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Dr. Jam Kothari Dr Jam Kothari (@myeloma_medic) is an Oxford based blood cancer doctor, specialising in the treatment of multiple myeloma and associated conditions. He has been a consultant for a decade, and leads the provision of myeloma care for Oxford and neighbouring areas. He lectures regionally and nationally and leads clinical trials investigating the use of new treatments for myeloma. He is a strong believer in patient based, holistic care, delivered with warmth, clarity and integrity.   Dr. Sally Moore Dr Sally Moore is a Bristol based consultant who specialises in treating patients living with multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders. She oversees the delivery of clinical research studies for myeloma patients and has academic interests in how to maximise quality of life for patients and improve outcomes in older, less fit patients.  She frequently contributes to myeloma related educational events for fellow doctors and healthcare professionals at a local, regional and national level and is an active member of the UK Myeloma Research Alliance and an executive member of the UK Myeloma Society.