Does diet affect myeloma progression? It's one of the most common questions patients have.

We know that more than 3% of the general population over the age of 50 has either monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or smoldering myeloma. We also know that these precursor conditions to multiple myeloma are linked to obesity, diabetes, inflammatory diets and diets lacking in plant-based foods.

Around 75% of multiple myeloma patients have low Vitamin D which has been linked to worse outcomes (although the prevalence in MGUS and smoldering myeloma is unknown.) Other nutrition elements such as omega-3 fatty acids and curcumin could have important effects on disease progression.

Additionally, other studies have identified that the microbiome is altered in both myeloma and precursor condition patients compared to healthy individuals and that the microbiome can impact the myeloma cells themselves. For example, myeloma patients with higher abundance of bacteria that produce short chain fatty acids have better outcomes.

Urvi Shah, MD of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is leading a Phase II study to test whether dietary supplements and/or a whole foods, plant-based diet would lead to changes in myeloma biomarkers for MGUS and smoldering myeloma patients.

Her goal is to compare three different patient groups of 1) whole foods, plant-based diet with dietary supplements, 2) dietary supplements alone and 3) a control group to identify comparative changes over a 12 month period.

Please donate to this important study and join the study if you have MGUS or smoldering myeloma. The results will help MGUS, smoldering myeloma and all multiple myeloma patients understand how dietary and microbiome changes impact disease progression.

Donors Fuel Progress

Your donation is directly given to Dr. Urvi Shah's MGUS and smoldering myeloma diet study. Nothing is taken out for facility overhead. 


MSK Leads Cancer Care

Your gift supports the best and brightest researchers in their work to outsmart cancer. These innovative thinkers are focused on fighting every form of the disease. The close collaboration between MSK's doctors and researchers is unique and one of its greatest strengths—ensuring that drugs and therapies developed in the lab can be moved quickly to the clinic.

Together, we can join Dr. Shah by funding a future with better outcomes for myeloma and precursor condition patients - not just at MSK, but around the world. Please donate today and consider joining her study if you are a MGUS or smoldering myeloma patient. You can let us know you are interested in the study by pre-registerng here. 

Every dollar brings more hope. Thank you!