Myeloma SPOREs
Multiple Myeloma, a disease of white blood cells, will claim 12,030 lives in 2025 (1.9% of all cancer deaths), according to estimates from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. Another 36,110 new cases will be diagnosed in the same year, with African Americans having approximately double the incidence of myeloma compared to that of Americans of European ancestry. While recent improvements in treatment have resulted in a more favorable outlook for patients, five-year survival rates are still unacceptably low: 61%. The first solicitation for myeloma Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) applications was announced in 2001, applications were reviewed in 2002 and the first award given in 2003.