City of Hope to Open Judy and Bernard Briskin Center for Multiple Myeloma Research

The City of Hope announced today the launch of the Judy and Bernard Briskin Center for Multiple Myeloma Research.

“To truly change the future for multiple myeloma patients, we need to support the nation’s leading experts in their work to develop new treatments and cures,” said philanthropist Bernard Briskin.

“As someone currently in treatment for multiple myeloma, I understand the importance of clinical research,” he said. “I’m confident that by supporting City of Hope, we will help speed the best treatments, breakthroughs and clinical approaches to as many researchers, doctors and patients as possible.”

The center will hold four new clinical trials for treatment of myeloma stem from a “generous” gift from the Judy and Bernard Briskin Family Foundation, according to Duarte-based City of Hope.

The trials involve new uses of already existing drugs, as well as unique combinations of new drugs and immune-based treatments. Together, they could further researchers’ understanding of myeloma resistance to current treatments leading to more effective therapies, according to City of Hope.

The Briskins are well-known philanthropists and, through their Los Angeles-based family foundation, support an array of programs and institutions that emphasize health, medical treatments and cures and education.

Multiple myeloma causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow, where they crowd out healthy blood cells. Rather than produce helpful antibodies, the cancer cells produce abnormal proteins that can lead to kidney problems.

City News Service; Photo: Wikimedia Commons