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Multiple Myeloma

The Importance of Sharing Your Multiple Myeloma Experience With Others

Mighty Partners
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Editor's Note

This article is sponsored by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and was written in collaboration with Jane, an actual multiple myeloma patient.

When Jane was newly diagnosed with the rare blood cancer, multiple myeloma, the mother, grandmother, and youth minister who always put others first had to shift her focus and prioritize her health. She knew that dealing with a disease she’d never heard of wouldn’t be easy, but she wasn’t about to let it get in the way of her being there for her loved ones. 

Jane began researching multiple myeloma treatment options, and as she learned more, she started to feel more confident and empowered when discussing and deciding on treatments with her care team. Jane also discovered something unexpected on her journey: the power of telling her story. 

Multiple myeloma is a rare disease, and sharing one’s journey from diagnosis to disease management can be a way of helping and inspiring others.1 Today, Jane speaks openly about her experience because she wants to encourage others with multiple myeloma to learn more about their treatment options and become actively involved in their own health decisions as soon as possible. Proactively talking about living with multiple myeloma could also help people connect with others navigating the disease.  

One way to tell your story is through a patient group called the SHARE Network. If a Janssen treatment has made a difference in your life or the life of a loved one, consider joining the SHARE Network. Every story is unique. If you or a loved one are living with multiple myeloma, your story could have the ability to provide hope and inspiration to other patients. To learn more about the SHARE Network and how to share your story, visit www.sharemyjanssenstory.com.

“My advice to anyone who is newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma – do your research! You need to know that treatments are constantly advancing, and it’s important to learn as much about the disease and what options are available to you. Ask questions, connect with other patients, and work with your healthcare provider to find treatment options that are best for you. Don’t be afraid to speak up and take control of your health.”

After discussing her individual treatment goals with her healthcare team, Jane started treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) – a subcutaneous injection that can be administered in 3 to 5 minutes, rather than the intravenous infusion she previously received that could take up to 8 hours. 

DARZALEX FASPRO® is a prescription medicine used to treat adult patients with multiple myeloma with the medicines lenalidomide and dexamethasone in people with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who cannot receive a type of stem cell transplant that uses their own stem cells (autologous stem cell transplant) and in people whose multiple myeloma has come back or did not respond to treatment who have received at least one prior medicine to treat multiple myeloma. Scroll down to see additional indications for DARZALEX FASPRO®.

Jane found that the treatment option worked well for her schedule and gave her valuable time back in her day to spend with her family and pursue her passions.

Select Important Safety Information

Do not receive DARZALEX FASPRO® if you have a history of a severe allergic reaction to daratumumab, hyaluronidase, or any of the ingredients in DARZALEX FASPRO®. See below for a complete list of ingredients in DARZALEX FASPRO®.

DARZALEX FASPRO® may cause serious reactions, including: serious allergic reactions and other severe injection-related reactions, injection site reactions, decreases in blood cell counts, and changes in blood tests.

Talk to your doctor about whether DARZALEX FASPRO® is right for you. Please see Important Safety Information for DARZALEX FASPRO® below. For more information on DARZALEX FASPRO®, please click here to see the full Important Product Information or visit darzalex.com. 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is DARZALEX FASPRO® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj)?

  • DARZALEX FASPRO® is a prescription medicine used to treat adult patients with multiple myeloma:
  • in combination with the medicines bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone in people with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who cannot receive a type of stem cell transplant that uses their own stem cells (autologous stem cell transplant)
  • in combination with the medicines lenalidomide and dexamethasone in people with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who cannot receive a type of stem cell transplant that uses their own stem cells (autologous stem cell transplant) and in people whose multiple myeloma has come back or did not respond to treatment who have received at least one prior medicine to treat multiple myeloma
  • in combination with the medicines bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed people who are eligible to receive a type of stem cell transplant that uses their own stem cells (autologous stem cell transplant)
  • in combination with the medicines bortezomib and dexamethasone in people who have received at least one prior medicine to treat multiple myeloma
  • in combination with the medicines pomalidomide and dexamethasone in people who have received at least one prior medicine, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor, to treat multiple myeloma
  • in combination with the medicines carfilzomib and dexamethasone in people whose multiple myeloma has come back or did not respond to treatment who have received one to three prior medicines to treat multiple myeloma
  • alone in people who have received at least three prior medicines, including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent, or did not respond to a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent
    It is not known if DARZALEX FASPRO® is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not receive DARZALEX FASPRO® if you have a history of a severe allergic reaction to daratumumab, hyaluronidase, or any of the ingredients in DARZALEX FASPRO®. See below for a complete list of ingredients in DARZALEX FASPRO®.
Before you receive DARZALEX FASPRO®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have a history of breathing problems
  • have had shingles (herpes zoster)
  • have ever had or might now have a hepatitis B infection as DARZALEX FASPRO® could cause hepatitis B virus to become active again. Your healthcare provider will check you for signs of this infection before, during, and for some time after treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get worsening tiredness or yellowing of your skin or white part of your eyes.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. DARZALEX FASPRO® may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think that you may be pregnant during treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO®.
    • Females who are able to become pregnant should use an effective method of birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 3 months after your last dose of DARZALEX FASPRO®. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that you can use during this time.
    • Before starting DARZALEX FASPRO® in combination with lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide, females and males must agree to the instructions in the lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide REMS program.
      • The lenalidomide, thalidomide, and pomalidomide REMS have more information about effective methods of birth control, pregnancy testing, and blood donation for females who can become pregnant.
      • For males who have female partners who can become pregnant, there is information in the lenalidomide, thalidomide, and pomalidomide REMS about sperm donation and how lenalidomide, thalidomide, and pomalidomide can pass into human semen.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if DARZALEX FASPRO® passes into your breast milk. You should not breastfeed during treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO®. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO®.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How will I receive DARZALEX FASPRO®?

  • DARZALEX FASPRO® may be given alone or together with other medicines used to treat multiple myeloma.
  • DARZALEX FASPRO® will be given to you by your healthcare provider as an injection under the skin in the stomach area (abdomen).
  • DARZALEX FASPRO® is injected over 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Your healthcare provider will decide the time between doses as well as how many treatments you will receive.
  • Your healthcare provider will give you medicines before each dose of DARZALEX FASPRO® and after each dose of DARZALEX FASPRO® to help reduce the risk of serious allergic reactions and other reactions due to release of certain substances by your body (systemic). 

If you miss any appointments, call your healthcare provider as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.
DARZALEX FASPRO® may cause serious reactions, including:

  • Serious allergic reactions and other severe injection-related reactions. Serious allergic reactions and reactions due to release of certain substances by your body (systemic) that can lead to death can happen with DARZALEX FASPRO®. Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or completely stop treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO® if you have a serious reaction. Tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms during or after an injection of DARZALEX FASPRO®.
    • shortness of breath or trouble breathing
    • dizziness or lightheadedness (hypotension)
    • cough
    • wheezing
    • heart beating faster than usual
    • low oxygen in the blood (hypoxia)
    • throat tightness or irritation
    • runny or stuffy nose
    • headache
    • itching
    • high blood pressure
    • eye pain
    • nausea
    • vomiting
    • chills
    • fever
    • chest pain
    • blurred vision
  • Injection site reactions. Skin reactions at or near the injection site (local), including injection site reactions, can happen with DARZALEX FASPRO®. Symptoms at the site of injection may include itching, swelling, bruising, pain, rash, bleeding, or redness of the skin. These reactions sometimes happen more than 24 hours after an injection of DARZALEX FASPRO®. 
  • Decreases in blood cell counts. DARZALEX FASPRO® can decrease white blood cell counts, which help fight infections, and blood cells called platelets, which help to clot blood. Decreases in blood cell counts are common with DARZALEX FASPRO® but can be severe. Your healthcare provider will check your blood cell counts during treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO®. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop fever or have signs of bruising or bleeding.
  • Changes in blood tests. DARZALEX FASPRO® can affect the results of blood tests to match your blood type. These changes can last for up to 6 months after your final dose of DARZALEX FASPRO®. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to match your blood type before you start treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO®. Tell all of your healthcare providers that you are being treated with DARZALEX FASPRO® before receiving blood transfusions.

The most common side effects of DARZALEX FASPRO® when used alone include cold-like symptoms (upper respiratory infection) and decreased red blood cell counts.
The most common side effects of DARZALEX FASPRO® used in combination therapy include:

  • tiredness
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • shortness of breath
  • trouble sleeping
  • headache
  • fever
  • cough
  • muscle spasms
  • back pain
  • vomiting
  • high blood pressure
  • cold-like symptoms (upper respiratory infection)
  • nerve damage causing tingling, numbness, or pain
  • constipation
  • lung infection (pneumonia)
  • swollen hands, ankles, or feet
  • decreased red blood cell counts

These are not all the possible side effects of DARZALEX FASPRO®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

General information about the safe and effective use of DARZALEX FASPRO®

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about DARZALEX FASPRO® that is written for health professionals.

Active ingredient: daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj

Inactive ingredients: L-histidine, L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, L-methionine, polysorbate 20, sorbitol, water for injection

© Janssen Biotech, Inc. 2023 06/23 cp-385929v1

1Key Statistics About Multiple Myeloma. American Cancer Society 2023. Accessed April 19, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/about/key-statistics.html

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