Spectrum Pharmaceutecals Inc (SPPI)

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In March, EVOMELA Received FDA Approval for Two Indications; one for High-Dose Conditioning Treatment for Multiple Myeloma (MM) Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) and the other for Palliative Treatment of Patients with MM Who Cannot Take Oral Therapy so it was interesting to read this article from the NIH titled “Palliative care improves quality of life in cancer patients”. I was never exactly sure of the difference in hospice and palliative care so this article clarifies it for me.

Palliative care can begin as soon as a person is diagnosed with a condition, and may continue along with treatments and follow-up. It differs from hospice, or end-of-life care, which is offered to those whose illness or condition is unlikely to be cured.

And more interesting the article examines

the effectiveness of inpatient palliative care on quality of life in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. A bone marrow transplant is a difficult process. Patients first receive high-dose chemotherapy to remove diseased blood and bone marrow cells. Side effects can include pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and insomnia. About a week later, patients get an infusion of healthy blood stem cells to repopulate their bone marrow. Because they’re vulnerable to infection before the bone marrow’s functioning, patients are isolated from family and friends. They thus may experience both physical and emotional distress.

Of course, ASCT is a type of bone marrow transplantation. Here’s the reference

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/social-media-outreach/palliative-care-improves-quality-life-cancer-patients