D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, is a professor of medicine-medical oncology, and director of the Thoracic Oncology Clinical Program and Clinical Research Program at the University of Colorado Cancer Center – Anschutz Medical Campus.

, hosted by world-renowned oncologist D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, is a podcast focused on the highs and lows, ups and downs of all those involved with cancer, cancer medicine, and cancer science across the full spectrum of life’s experiences.

In this episode, Dr Camidge sat down with Brandon Blue, MD, a hematologist and oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.

Drs Camidge and Blue discussed Dr Blue’s journey into practicing medicine that led him to his current specialty: the management of malignant hematologic conditions, particularly multiple myeloma. His clinical focus also includes emerging cellular therapies such as CAR T-cell therapy and stem cell transplantation. He describes himself foremost as a “healer,” emphasizing a patient-centered approach to care.

Driven by a general desire to help others, Dr Blue chose a pre-medical path after his undergraduate studies. He gained specialized experience in stem cell transplantation and CAR T-cell therapy—fields he describes as transformative. Motivated by a desire to be at the forefront of these advancements, he pursued additional training in cellular therapies, recognizing the importance of staying informed about cutting-edge treatments.

In the interview, Dr Blue underscored the importance of measuring the outcomes of health care interventions. He also advocated for documenting and publishing data to support equitable access to high-cost therapies like CAR T-cell therapy. According to Dr Blue, demonstrating clinical efficacy and long-term cost-effectiveness—such as reduced hospitalizations and extended treatment-free intervals—is crucial for convincing stakeholders like insurance providers to support access for underserved populations.

He emphasized that improving access to novel therapies should be a universal goal, not merely limited to drug development. Drs Blue and Camidge encouraged health care professionals and institutions to critically evaluate whether patients who most need innovative treatments are actually receiving them, advocating for systemic change in access and equity across cancer care.

Podcasts

Drs Camidge and Blue discussed Dr Blue’s journey into practicing medicine, and speciaffly how he settled on treating malignant hematologic conditions. 

How Passion for Healing and Health Care Equity Expands Access to Innovative Therapies: With D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD; and Brandon Blue, MD

Brandon Blue, MD, medical oncologist, Malignant Hematology, Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses the importance of early intervention in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

In multiple myeloma, indices in the blood, urine, and bone marrow can indicate a patient is progressing before they develop symptoms, Blue explains. This is called a biochemical relapse. 

In cases of biochemical relapse, it is important to start patients on the next line of therapy quickly because disease progression could lead to the development of kidney failure, fractures, or lytic lesions that can significantly impair a patient’s quality of life (QOL), Blue explains. Moreover, because multiple myeloma remains an incurable disease, maximizing QOL is an important factor for good outcomes.

Ultimately, patients with a biochemical relapse in the blood, urine, or bone marrow should be started on treatment to get their disease under control before symptoms arise, Blue concludes.

Videos

Brandon Blue, MD, discusses the importance of early intervention in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.  



Dr. Blue on the Importance of Early Intervention in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma 

Brandon Blue, MD, oncologist, Malignant Hematology, Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses treatment considerations for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Many options in the treatment armamentarium for patients with multiple myeloma have been compared with each other or doublet chemotherapy and have demonstrated some degree of benefit, according to Blue. However, it is important to determine which options patients are sensitive or refractory to, and what the associated toxicities are with each approach, Blue says. For example, many of these patients experience kidney issues or kidney failure, and as such, dose reductions or the exclusion of immunomodulatory drugs may be necessary, Blue adds.

Proteasome inhibitors and other classes of medicines have been investigated with monoclonal antibodies, as well as in other lines and with other mechanisms, to ensure that those combinations provide benefit to patients, Blue explains. More options have become available and it is now encouraged to combine agents with different mechanisms of action, especially now that there are data to support the use of drugs beyond daratumumab (Darzalex), such as isatuximab (Sarclisa), Blue concludes. 

Brandon Blue, MD, discusses treatment considerations for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Dr. Blue on Treatment Considerations for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Brandon Blue, MD, oncologist, Malignant Hematology, Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses the utility of carfilzomib (Kyprolis) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Bortezomib (Velcade) and carfilzomib should be considered for patients who are sensitive to proteasome inhibitors (PI), Blue explains. If a patient has a good response with frontline bortezomib, using carfilzomib, a second-generation PI, could be used. Carfilzomib can be used in combination with multiple agents, including daratumumab (Darzalex), isatuximab-irfc (Sarclisa), and pomalidomide (Pomalyst), Blue says.

Several options can be utilized to capitalize on the mechanism of action associated with PIs, Blue continues. Moreover, PIs have demonstrated a progression-free survival advantage, as well as increased rates of minimal residual negativity, which is associated with improved outcomes for patients, Blue concludes.

Articles

Brandon Blue, MD, discusses the utility of carfilzomib in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. 


Brandon Blue, MD

Articles

How Passion for Healing and Health Care Equity Expands Access to Innovative Therapies: With D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD; and Brandon Blue, MD

Dr. Blue on the Importance of Early Intervention in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Dr. Blue on Treatment Considerations for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Dr. Blue on the Utility of Carfilzomib in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma