UT MD Anderson Cancer Clinic

NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), in partnership with the National Medical Association (NMA), the W. Montague Cobb Institute, and the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), sent a delegation of twelve IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma along with their mentors to the 2024 NMA Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly, which took place in New York City, NY from August 3-7, 2024. The NMA Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly is recognized as one of the best national forums of African American health and medicine. The twelve student-mentor pairs presented their research during a poster walk on Monday August 5, at the Sheraton in Times Square with the following posters: Examining Disparities in Pharmacy Drug Adherence and Treatment Access Among Multiple Myeloma Patients – Saron Araya (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine—Philadelphia, PA) and Cesar Rodriguez, MD (Tisch Cancer Institute Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai—New York, NY)Impact of Race on the Incidence of T-cell Malignancies in Patients with Multiple Myeloma — Bethelehem Gebre (Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine—Spokane, WA) and Ajay K. Nooka, MD, MPH, FACP (Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University—Atlanta, GA)Differences in Time to CAR T Therapy Based on Race/Ethnicity and ADI — Erneisha Brown, BS (Texas Tech University School of Medicine—Lubbock, TX) and Krina K. Patel, MD, MSc (UT MD Anderson Cancer Center—Houston, TX)Association Between Brain-to-Vein Time, Disease Characteristics and Outcomes with Commercial CAR T-cell Therapy in Multiple Myeloma — Tyra Grischke (Indiana University School of Medicine—Indiana, IN) and Benjamin Derman, MD (University of Chicago—Chicago, IL)Genetic Marker Screening to Prevent Drug-induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Multiple Myeloma — Diandra G. B. Adu-Kyei (Meharry Medical College—Nashville, TN) and Tondre Buck, MD (Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute—Spartanburg, SC)Primary Therapy Outcomes in Relation to Primary Cytogenetic Subtypes in a Large Cohort of Black Patients with Multiple Myeloma at a Single Center — Semegne Hiruy (Wake Forest University School of Medicine—Salem, NC) and Manisha Bhutani, MD (Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute—Charlotte, NC)Real-World Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Safety Outcomes in Black Patients with Multiple Myeloma Treated with Teclistamab: A National Claims Database Study — Brittany Grossi (Howard University College of Medicine—Washington, DC) and Peter M. Voorhees, MD (Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute—Charlotte, NC)Social Determinants of Health Affecting Black versus White Patients Receiving Bispecifics for Treatment of Multiple Myeloma — Ferdinand Anokwuru (Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science—Los Angeles, CA) and Monique Hartley-Brown, MD MMSC (Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute—Boston, MA)Community Perspectives: Exploring Insights in Multiple Myeloma — Ingrid Adaeze Okonta, MS (University of Louisville School of Medicine—Louisville, KY) and Joselle Cook, MD (Mayo Clinic—Rochester, MN)Survivorship Burden and Factors Affecting Choice of Treatment Among Multiple Myeloma (MM) Patients: Real-World Learnings and Disparities from a Prospective Study — Jayla Mondy (University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine—Jackson, MS) and Sikander Ailwadhi, MD (Mayo Clinic—Jacksonville, FL)Estimating the Racial Difference in Proportion of Myeloma Cases Attributable to Modifiable Risk Factors — Divya Rath (Howard University College of Medicine—Washington, DC) and Urvi Shah, MD (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center—New York, NY)Outcomes of T-cell Redirecting Therapies for Multiple Myeloma by Race and Ethnicity — Yasmine Griffiths (Howard University College of Medicine—Washington, DC) and Saad Z. Usmani, MD, MBA, FACP (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center—New York, NY) Participants are expected to complete the Post-Program Assessment by September 2024.To know more, view the poster walk booklet. You may also read the full posters here. Students and mentors also attended a networking reception which brought together members of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), W. Montague Cobb /NMA Institute, and the NMA. Some of this year’s IMF Medical Student Scholars shared their thoughts and takeaways from the 2024 NMA Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly: “Participating in the Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma Program has been a privilege and a learning opportunity. Hearing the numbers about how black patients are affected disproportionately in different areas of medicine in a passing sentence during a lecture felt like the numbers were being minimized as if they were not real people. However, this program gave me a chance to do a deep dive into the impact multiple myeloma has in our community and be motivated to work towards learning and closing the disparities we face actively. I plan to carry the lessons I learned and the connections I made to a bigger platform, where we can make changes in the lives of our patients and community.” — Bethelehem Gebre (Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine—Spokane, WA) “I feel so honored to have been chosen for this program. Everyone involved was helpful and encouraging throughout the entire process. My mentor, Dr. Ben Derman, made the experience exciting and manageable; he did an amazing job not only teaching me about multiple myeloma, but also how to be a better researcher. Being surrounded by so many Black and Brown physicians at the NMA conference was so inspiring; speaking with them made me excited for the future of medicine. I never imagined I would be a part of such an important conference this early in my career, but I am grateful and excited to keep researching ways to improve the outcomes of minority patients throughout my medical journey!” — Tyra Grischke (Indiana University School of Medicine—Indiana, IN) “My experience as an IMF Scholar has been nothing short of extraordinary, truly an 11/10 experience. While I had conducted research before, mostly in basic science and clinical research, I have never delved deeply into health disparities research until now. This journey has been incredibly enriching, largely due to my mentor, Dr. Joselle Cook, who pushed me to excel and instilled in me a profound passion for addressing health disparities and patient advocacy. This experience has strengthened my commitment to becoming a physician advocate and teaching health literacy to my future patients. Being an IMF scholar has reaffirmed my calling to become a physician leader and surgeon who pushes forward policy to advance health disparity research and patient care. I am deeply grateful to have gained lifelong mentors and a supportive community that will continue to guide me in my medical career. I am truly thankful to the International Myeloma Foundation and the W. Cobb Montague Institute for selecting me as a 2024 IMF Scholar.” — Ingrid Adaeze Okonta, MS (University of Louisville School of Medicine—Louisville, KY) “The Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma program is a template for others to combine community engagement, health disparities research and research mentorship together to further the cause of health equity. The quality and depth of the disparities projects presented were simply outstanding. Furthermore, the camaraderie and synergy of the mentors and mentees together were beautiful to see. I am convinced that this program will help patients, students, mentors and the whole myeloma community,” remarked IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael who spearheads the IMF’s Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma and M-Power Project. “Today, we celebrate not just the graduation of our scholars but a significant step towards a more equitable healthcare landscape. This program was born from the urgent need to address the disparities minority communities face in myeloma care. As these research posters demonstrate, African American patients face unique challenges in accessing and receiving care. Through their dedication and research, our IMF Medical Student Scholars will continue to bridge these gaps and pave the way for improved outcomes for all,” said IMF President & CEO and 28-year myeloma patient Yelak Biru. The IMF is grateful to our program sponsor: Cobb/NMA Health Institute President & CEO Randall C. Morgan, Jr., MD, MBA. The National Medical Association (NMA) is “the collective voice of African American physicians and the leading force for parity and justice in medicine and the elimination of disparities in health.” The national professional and scientific organization represents the interests of more than 50,000 African American physicians and the patients they serve and is committed to improving the quality of health among minorities and disadvantaged people through its membership, professional development, community health education, advocacy, research, and partnerships with federal and private agencies. Visit the NMA’s website to find out more. Launched in April 2023, the Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma mentoring program was created by the IMF, in partnership with the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute’s Cobb Scholars Program, as a novel mentorship initiative for African American medical students. The IMF Medical Student Scholars for Health Equity in Myeloma mentoring program is made possible through financial support by Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer. To learn more about the program, visit https://mpower.myeloma.org/medical-student-scholars-for-health-equity-in-myeloma-mentoring-program/ ABOUT THE M-POWER PROJECTPartnering with cities across the U.S., the International Myeloma Foundation’s (IMF) M-Power Project aims to turn the core vision of the IMF Diversity Initiative into a reality: improving the short- and long-term outcomes of African American patients with multiple myeloma. By raising myeloma awareness and empowering healthcare professionals, community leaders, neighborhoods, and families, the M-Power Project aims to break down barriers for the African American myeloma community. ABOUT MULTIPLE MYELOMAMultiple myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells — white blood cells that make antibodies. A cancerous or malignant plasma cell is called a myeloma cell. Myeloma is called “multiple” because there are frequently multiple patches or areas in bone where it grows. It often involves damage to bone and kidneys. Multiple myeloma is still incurable, but great progress has been made in terms of survival over the last two decades. The disease is twice as common and is diagnosed at a younger age in African Americans than white Americans. The most common presenting symptoms include fatigue and bone pain. ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL MYELOMA FOUNDATIONFounded in 1990, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is the first and largest global foundation focusing specifically on multiple myeloma. The Foundation's reach extends to more than 525,000 members in 140 countries worldwide. The IMF is dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure by focusing on four key areas: research, education, support, and advocacy. The IMF has conducted more than 250 educational seminars worldwide, maintains a world-renowned InfoLine, and in 2001, established the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), a collaborative research initiative focused on improving myeloma treatment options for patients. In 2012, the IMF launched the Black Swan Research Initiative®, a groundbreaking research project aimed at curing myeloma. The IMF can be reached at (800) 452-CURE (2873). The global website is www.myeloma.org. Follow the IMF on:X (Twitter): @IMFmyelomaInstagram: @imfmyelomaFacebook: @myelomaLinkedIn: International Myeloma Foundation Media Contacts: Peter AntonPanton@myeloma.org Jason LondonJlondon@myeloma.org

TUCSON, Ariz., April 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTGM) (HTG), a platform-based life science tools and drug discovery company, today announced there will be at least four scientific posters featuring its proprietary HTG EdgeSeq™ technology presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting (AACR) April 16-19 in Orlando, Florida. Global leaders in cancer research, including The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Providence Saint John’s Health Center and Merck KGaA, will be sharing research conducted utilizing the HTG EdgeSeq platform gene expression profiling (GEP). The science being presented at AACR highlights the broad spectrum of applications utilizing HTG’s ultra-efficient RNA profiling platform and the Company’s capabilities from biomarker discovery and genomic signatures to drug discovery. Prominent among the data being presented is analysis from HTG’s powerful tool, the HTG Transcriptome Panel (HTP), which enables the capture of comprehensive and reliable human transcriptome data using a fraction of the sample typically required by other GEP methods. The posters will be presented at AACR at the times outlined below, and will be available on our website after the presentation: Abstract 2107 – Development of a customized panel with clinical application potential for transcriptome analyses in selected cancer types using FFPE specimens Date/Time: April 17, 2023, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM Session: Biomarkers for Elucidation of Tumor Biology and Metastasis Location: Orange County Convention Center, Poster Section 38, Poster Board 10 Presenter: Vittorio D'Urso, Clinical Genomics, Clinical Biomarkers & Technologies, Clinical Measurements Sciences, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Abstract 4501 - Novel EHE PDX model used for drug sensitivity Date/Time: April 18, 2023, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM Session: Molecular Targeted Therapies 2 Location: Orange County Convention Center, Poster Section 42, Poster Board 26 Presenter: Sandhya Krishnan, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX Abstract 6375 - Transcriptomic signatures in melanoma lymph node metastasis that relate to immune oncology treatment Date/Time: April 19, 2023, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM Session: Immune Checkpoints Location: Orange County Convention Center, Poster Section 23, Poster Board 19 Presenter: Matias A. Bustos, Providence Saint John’s Health Center, Santa Monica, CA Abstract 619 - TP53 gain-of-function mutation modulates the immunosuppressive microenvironment in non-HPV associated oral squamous cell carcinoma Date/Time: April 16, 2023, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Session: Adaptive Immunity to Tumors Location: Orange County Convention Center, Poster Section 21, Poster Board 20 Presenter: Yewen Shi, Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China “The abstracts highlighting our technology at this year’s AACR conference are a true reflection of the broad utility of our HTG EdgeSeq platform and the important research being conducted by our customers and collaborators,” said Byron Lawson, SVP and Chief Commercial Officer at HTG. “We are proud to partner with such innovative and world-renowned research centers and biopharma partners who use our novel transcriptomic technology to take their research and science to new heights.” About HTG: HTG is accelerating precision medicine from diagnosis to treatment by harnessing the power of transcriptome-wide profiling to drive translational research, novel therapeutics and clinical diagnostics across a variety of disease areas. Building on more than a decade of pioneering innovation and partnerships with biopharma leaders and major academic institutes, HTG’s proprietary RNA platform technologies are designed to make the development of life science tools and diagnostics more effective and efficient and to unlock a differentiated and disruptive approach to transformative drug discovery. For more information visit Forward-Looking Statements: Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the capabilities of our technology. Words such as “designed to,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “potential,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements necessarily contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current expectations, are subject to known and unknown risks, and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with drug discovery and development; the risk that our technologies may not provide the benefits that we expect; risks associated with our ability to develop and commercialize our products; risks associated with our ability to enter into licensing, partnering or other transactions for any candidates we discover or develop; the risk that our products and services may not be adopted by biopharmaceutical companies or other customers as anticipated, or at all; and risks related to our need for additional capital. These and other factors are described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the “Risk Factors” heading of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made, and we undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. HTG Investor Contact: Ashley Robinson LifeSci Advisors Phone: (617) 430-7577 Email: arr@lifesciadvisors.com

Single-arm trial to expand body of evidence supporting treatment with novel monopegylated interferon among adults with ET living in the U.S. and Canada BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PharmaEssentia USA Corporation, a subsidiary of PharmaEssentia Corporation (TPEx:6446), a global biopharmaceutical innovator based in Taiwan leveraging deep expertise and proven scientific principles to deliver new biologics in hematology and oncology, today announced that the first patients are now being dosed in a Phase 2b clinical study evaluating ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft for the treatment of adults with essential thrombocythemia (ET). ET is a rare blood cancer characterized by a genetic mutation triggering the overproduction of platelets in the blood. It is part of a group of disorders called myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), for which there are few therapeutic options today. Without proper treatment, ET often progresses toward myelofibrosis or secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML). Based on an improved understanding of the disease etiology, clinical guidelines recommend the use of systemic therapies that can move beyond symptom management toward more complete control of the disease. “Clinicians who treat ET patients recognize the need for more effective and more tolerable treatment options to gain greater control over the effects of this progressive cancer and help more patients reach their goals,” said Lucia Masarova, M.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Leukemia at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Texas. “This important study will provide useful insights into the role of this novel interferon to overcome the limitations of the current options available today and potentially represent a real advancement in the care of these patients.” This single-arm study will assess the efficacy of ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft in approximately 64 eligible adults with ET at 20-25 treatment centers in the United States and Canada. The study will include assessments of hematologic response rate as well as changes in the JAK2 and CALR mutation to understand their role in treatment response, and will capture additional safety and tolerability assessments, quality of life impact, and other evaluations. The study will include a 12-month primary treatment phase during which participants will receive treatment subcutaneously every two weeks (starting dose 250 mcg, target optimal dose 500 mcg) followed by a 28-day follow up. Those who respond to treatment will be eligible to participate in an extension phase of the study. More information on the study including eligibility criteria can be found by visiting or and searching for the trial identifier NCT05482971. “Years of ongoing research have demonstrated that there is an important role for a monopegylated interferon to improve the care paradigm for people who suffer from chronic, progressive myeloproliferative neoplasms. We’ve delivered on this through our first indication in polycythemia vera, and now we are expanding our focus into ET,” said Raymond Urbanski, M.D., Ph.D., U.S. Head of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs. “Our goal through this research is to provide a clear, comprehensive view of the clinical pro this treatment in ET that could support registration.” This study will build upon the insights generated as part of the ongoing global SURPASS ET study, a Phase 3 pivotal clinical trial of ropeginterferon alfa-2b for the treatment of ET. Topline data for both trials are expected in 2024. About BESREMi® (ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft) BESREMi is an innovative monopegylated, long-acting interferon. With its unique pegylation technology, BESREMi has a long duration of activity in the body and is aimed to be administered once every two weeks (or every four weeks with hematological stability for at least one year), allowing flexible dosing that helps meet the individual needs of patients. BESREMi has orphan drug designation for the treatment of polycythemia vera (PV) in adults in the United States. The product was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2019, in the United States in 2021, and has recently received approval in Taiwan and South Korea. The drug candidate was invented by PharmaEssentia and is manufactured in the company’s Taichung plant, which was cGMP certified by TFDA in 2017 and by EMA in January 2018. PharmaEssentia retains full global intellectual property rights for the product in all indications. BESREMi was approved with a boxed warning for risk of serious disorders including aggravation of neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic and infectious disorders. Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning. About Essential Thrombocythemia Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) characterized by an overproduction of platelets in the blood that results from a genetic mutation; data indicates a JAK2 gene mutation is present in approximately half of diagnosed patients. ET is estimated to affect up to 57 per 100,000 people in the U.S. The disease is most commonly diagnosed through routine blood work and is most common in people over the age of 50, with women 1.5 more times more likely to be diagnosed than men. As a chronic, progressive disease, ET requires regular monitoring and appropriate treatment. Over time, the disease may progress into more deadly conditions such as myelofibrosis or acute leukemia.1,2 About PharmaEssentia PharmaEssentia (TPEx: 6446), headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, is a global and rapidly growing biopharmaceutical innovator. Leveraging deep expertise and proven scientific principles, PharmaEssentia aims to deliver effective new biologics for challenging diseases in the areas of hematology and oncology, with one approved product and a diversifying pipeline. Founded in 2003 by a team of Taiwanese-American executives and renowned scientists from U.S. biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, today PharmaEssentia is expanding its global presence with operations in the U.S., Japan, China, and Korea, along with a world-class biologics production facility in Taichung, Taiwan. For more information, visit our website or find us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Forward Looking Statement This press release may contain forward-looking statements. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar legislation and regulations under Taiwanese law. These forward-looking statements are based on management expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release, and actual results may differ materially from those in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These factors include risks and uncertainties related to the initiation, timing, progress and results of our research and development programs, preclinical studies, clinical trials, and regulatory submissions. We do not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. 1 Mehta J, Wang H, Iqbal SU, Mesa R. Epidemiology of myeloproliferative neoplasms in the United States. Leuk Lymphoma. 2014 Mar;55(3):595-600 2 “What is Essential Thrombocythemia?” MPN Research Foundation. 2020. Available at: