WATCH: Oncologist & Patient Talk About Their 16-Year Multiple Myeloma Journey

June 5, 2023
By: Julie Poucher Harbin, Senior Writer, DCI

Duke Cancer Institute multiple myeloma specialist Cristina Gasparetto, MD, and her patient Thomas Goode, have a candid conversation, in four parts, about the physician-patient journey — from Thomas’ multiple myeloma diagnosis 16 years ago to the present. The journey includes building a strong relationship to support struggles and successes and a path to the future.

This "Mye Journey" series (below) is presented by Duke Cancer Institute and is funded by Multiple Myeloma Research Fund donations.

Ep. 1: How the Journey Began

Ep. 2: The Journey to Building a Strong Relationship

Ep. 3: The Value of a Strong Physician-Patient Relationship

Ep. 4: The Importance of Patient Support Systems and Advocacy

About Dr. Gasparetto

Cristina Gasparetto, MD, performs both laboratory and clinical research in the field of multiple myeloma. Her primary research interests are in developing immunotherapy approaches to treating multiple myeloma particularly in conjunction with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

You're Why Duke Health ad campaign poster with Dr. Gasparetto at the microscope and Thomas Goode on a bicycle Ongoing laboratory research projects include the development of dendritic cell vaccines and antibody therapies. Clinical studies include a recently approved trial involving vaccination with autologous dendritic cells pulsed with idiotypic protein following high dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cells transplant.

Upcoming trials include novel antibody therapies for multiple myeloma. Gasparetto is also an investigator on several other clinical trials for myeloma including non-myeloablative allogeneic transplantation, high dose sequential chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and transplantation of partially HLA matched unrelated cord blood.

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Topics

Cristina Gasparetto, multiple myeloma

CIRCLE PHOTO (top): Cristina Gasparetto, MD (left) and her patient Thomas Goode, a multiple myeloma survivor, gather at the finish line of the 2018 Duke Multiple Myeloma Bike Ride, an event to raise awareness and funds for multiple myeloma research. Goode, age 51, participated as a cyclist in five of the past bike rides and attended one as a supporter when he was going through his third stem cell transplant. The annual ride, held most years since 2008, has been suspended since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic (2020).