Modernizing multiple myeloma clinical trial eligibility to improve equity and inclusivity by hematological parameters.

In the United States, Black people experience multiple myeloma (MM) at a frequency that is more than double that of White people and experience much higher rates of mortality. Despite bearing a disproportionate impact of both MM incidence and mortality, Black patients are significantly underrepresented in most MM clinical trials. This is in part because Black patients experience a higher prevalence of hemoglobinopathies and Duffy-null phenotype, which affect hemoglobin and neutrophil levels, respectively, potentially excluding patients from clinical trials.

A single-cell atlas characterizes dysregulation of the bone marrow immune microenvironment associated with outcomes in multiple myeloma.

Multiple Myeloma (MM) remains incurable despite advances in treatment options. Although tumor subtypes and specific DNA abnormalities are linked to worse prognosis, the impact of immune dysfunction on disease emergence and/or treatment sensitivity remains unclear. We established a harmonized consortium to generate an Immune Atlas of MM aimed at informing disease etiology, risk stratification, and potential therapeutic strategies.

Creating Equitable and Inclusive Clinical Trials for Multiple Myeloma.

Black and Latino/Hispanic populations are disproportionately impacted by multiple myeloma (MM) in the United States and are underrepresented in many clinical trials. The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation sponsored a 1-day workshop of 46 experts spanning the ecosystem of MM research and care, including government, academia, nonprofits, pharma/biotech, community partners, and retail pharmacy. Specific, tangible steps to overcome the well-documented barriers to improving the diversity and inclusivity of clinical trials were discussed, including broadening inclusion/exclusion criteria, reducing the financial and other burdens of trial participants, selecting diverse study sites, including implicit bias training, and taking steps to empower patients.

Economic vulnerability in US metropolitan areas.

This paper examines various aspects of recent employment vulnerability in US metropolitan areas. Based on the three decades preceding COVID-19, an estimate is made of the volatility (sensitivity) in each area's unemployment rate, relative to the national rate, and this reflects the area's employment vulnerability to external events. Using the Brechling-Thirlwall time-series approach, the monthly change in each area's unemployment rate is first compared to the monthly change in the nation's unemployment rate.

VentMon: An open source inline ventilator tester and monitor.

Humanitarian engineers responded to the pandemic ventilator shortage of March, 2020 by beginning over 100 open source ventilator projects [Robert L. Read et al. COVID-19 Vent List.