How can I find a clinical trial for multiple myeloma in my area?

Multiple myeloma is a complex and often unpredictable blood cancer. While traditional treatments help many patients, others may reach a point where they need more options. Clinical trials can give you access to cutting-edge therapies and promising new treatments before they’re widely available. You might be wondering, how can I find a clinical trial for multiple myeloma in my area without getting lost in medical jargon or endless search results. Fortunately, there are a few platforms to help you narrow down your options.

Understanding Multiple Myeloma and Clinical Trials

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that forms in the plasma cells—a kind of white blood cell in the bone marrow. These cells produce antibodies to help fight off infections. In multiple myeloma, plasma cells become abnormal and multiply uncontrollably, crowding out healthy blood cells and creating a harmful protein called monoclonal protein or M protein. This protein can build up in the body and cause serious damage, especially in the bones, kidneys and immune system.

The disease often leads to symptoms like bone pain, frequent infections, fatigue, anemia and high calcium levels in the blood. It tends to affect older adults more commonly, though it can occur at any age. While patients can manage the disease with treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and stem cell transplants, it remains incurable in most cases. The goal is often to extend remission and improve quality of life.

This is where clinical trials come in. Clinical trials are research studies that test new methods to prevent, detect or treat diseases. For multiple myeloma, they might involve new medications, drug combinations, stem cell strategies or cutting-edge therapies like CAR-T therapy or bispecific antibodies. Each trial is designed to answer specific scientific questions, such as whether a new treatment works better or causes fewer side effects than current options. 

Participating in a clinical trial may feel like a big step, but it can also be empowering. Trials offer access to treatments not yet available to the general public, and they are crucial for improving care for future patients. Every major advance in cancer treatment has come through clinical research. 

How to Find a Clinical Trial for Multiple Myeloma in Your Area

When facing multiple myeloma, knowing your treatment options can feel empowering, especially when standard therapies may not be enough. Clinical trials give you access to the latest research-backed treatments, often years before they’re widely available. They can also be a vital option when you’re running out of choices or hoping for something more targeted. But where do you even begin to look?

If you’ve ever wondered how to find a clinical trial for multiple myeloma in your area, there are tools specifically for this. These platforms take the guesswork out of finding relevant, up-to-date clinical trials in your area and make it easier to take the next step. Here are some platforms to help you find a clinical trial for multiple myeloma in your area.

1. The International Myeloma Foundation

The International Myeloma Foundation‘s Clinical Trials Matching Engine was created to help multiple myeloma patients find and connect with clinical trials that match their personal situation. What sets International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) Clinical Trials Matching Engine apart is that it was built by a myeloma patient and caregiver duo who understood just how overwhelming and confusing the clinical trial search process can be.

When you sign up, you’ll be asked a series of questions about your diagnosis, previous treatments and current health status. This information helps the platform match you to trials that are actively recruiting and relevant to your specific condition. No wading through pages of unrelated studies.

International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) also goes beyond just listing trial names and locations. Their platform breaks down complex medical information into plain English. You’ll learn what the trial is testing, where it’s happening, who qualifies and what the potential risks and benefits are. They even offer one-on-one support to answer your questions or guide you through the next steps.

Key Features:

• Free and secure platform built specifically for multiple myeloma patients
• Personalized matching based on your diagnosis, labs and treatment history
• Easy-to-read trial summaries and eligibility details
• Access to a dedicated patient navigator for guidance and support
• Regular updates as new trials become available in your area

2. Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is one of the most well-known nonprofit organizations in blood cancer research. Alongside funding groundbreaking science, they offer powerful tools to help patients navigate their care, including a clinical trial finder developed just for multiple myeloma. 

The MMRF Clinical Trial Finder connects you to a wide range of studies at hospitals, cancer centers and research institutions across the U.S. and globally. What makes this platform stand out is how it integrates with its broader mission — to accelerate precision medicine and bring treatments to patients faster.

When you create a profile, you’ll be guided through a detailed intake process that includes your treatment history and lab results. Based on this, the platform suggests trials you’re most likely to qualify for — so you can skip the frustrating step of contacting sites only to find out you’re not eligible. 

But MMRF doesn’t stop at helping you find a trial. They offer educational videos, expert Q&As, downloadable guides and even a nurse concierge program through their Patient Navigation Center.

Key Features:

• Trusted nonprofit source backed by cutting-edge research
• Custom matching based on your health and treatment profile
• Integrated support through MMRF’s Patient Navigation Center
• Access to top-tier trials through partnerships with major research centers
• Educational tools and webinars to help you stay informed and empowered

How to Prepare for a Clinical Trial

Once you’ve found a clinical trial that might be right for you, the next step is getting ready to take part. It’s natural to have questions, and preparing ahead of time can help ease any anxiety and make the process smoother. Here’s what to know before you begin.

What to Expect

Clinical trials are designed with strict safety protocols and clear goals. You’ll likely begin with a screening phase to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria. These criteria can include your current health status, previous treatments, stage of your cancer and even specific genetic markers.

If you qualify and decide to join, you’ll be given an informed consent document. This outlines everything about the trial — the purpose, procedures, possible risks and benefits. Read this carefully. It’s not just paperwork — it’s a key tool for helping you make an informed decision. It’s important to remember you can leave a clinical trial at any point if you change your mind.

During the trial, you might receive treatment at a hospital, cancer center or even at home, depending on the type of study. You’ll have regular check-ins, which may include physical exams, blood tests, imaging scans or questionnaires. The level of monitoring can feel more intense than routine care, but that often means more personalized attention.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Trial Coordinator

It’s OK — encouraged, even — to ask a lot of questions. You deserve to understand everything. Here are a few more to consider beyond the basics:

• Will I need to travel far for this trial?
• How long is each visit, and how often are they?
• What happens if the treatment doesn’t work or I experience side effects
• Who do I contact in an emergency?
• Is this a phase I, II, III or IV trial, and what does that mean for me?

Ask about follow-up care. Some trials continue to monitor participants even after the treatment ends.

Talk to Your Current Healthcare Team

Before enrolling in any trial, it’s essential to loop in your existing care team, especially your oncologist and hematologist. They know your treatment history best and can offer insight into whether a trial is the right next step. 

They might also know about local studies or be able to refer you to a trial site nearby. Be open about your goals, whether that’s extending remission, managing symptoms or exploring new therapies. You don’t need to make this decision alone, and your care team can help you weigh the pros and cons.

Understanding the Risks and Benefits

It’s important to be realistic. Clinical trials are a form of medical research, and while they offer hope, there are no guarantees. Side effects may be unknown, and the treatment may not work for everyone. That said, many people in trials do see improvement, especially when standard therapies have stopped working. 

Beyond personal benefit, participating in a trial means you’re helping advance science. You’re part of the reason tomorrow’s treatments will be better than today’s.

Managing Your Time and Commitments

Treatment schedules can be demanding. Before committing, think about how the trial will fit into your life. Will you need time off work? Help with transportation or meals? Who can come with you for support?

Create a calendar or checklist to keep track of appointments, medication schedules and any special instructions. If you have a caregiver or partner, include them in planning conversations so they know how to help. Many cancer centers offer support services for participants and their families — take advantage of them.

Mental and Emotional Preparations 

This part is just as important as the physical. You might feel hopeful one day and anxious the next. That’s OK. Staying grounded can help — talk to a counselor, join a support group or connect with others who have been through clinical trials. Knowing you’re not alone can be a huge comfort. Journaling your experience or keeping a private log of symptoms and questions can also help you stay organized and emotionally centered throughout the process.

Financial Considerations

Some trials are fully funded, while others expect your insurance to cover routine costs. Ask what the trial includes. Will the experimental drug be free? What about lab work or hospital stays?

It’s OK to ask for a financial counselor to walk you through the details. You shouldn’t have to navigate that part alone. 

Future Considerations

Taking part in a clinical trial isn’t just a short-term decision. It can have lasting effects on your health and your future treatment options. While your focus might be on starting the trial right now, it’s also important to consider what happens next.

What Happens After the Trial Ends?

Once the clinical trial ends, your involvement might not be over. Some trials have a follow-up phase, where researchers continue to monitor your health to track long-term side effects. This might involve check-ins every few months, blood tests or ongoing questionnaires.

Ask your care team:

• Will I still be able to access the trial treatment afterward?
• What kind of monitoring or follow-up will there be?
• How will you share results with me?

Sometimes, trial participants can continue using the experimental treatment if it’s working well. However, this isn’t always the case, so it’s important to ask early on. 

How Will This Affect My Long-Term Treatment Plan

A clinical trial might be one part of a longer treatment journey. Depending on how well the trial goes, it could lead to new options, or you may return to more traditional therapies. Either way, keep communication open with your primary oncologist. Make sure they’re looped in and aware of your trial results and any new recommendations that come from the study team.

It’s also OK to start thinking ahead. Will you need another line of treatment down the road? Are there other clinical trials you might qualify for in the future? These are smart things to bring up, even while the current trial is ongoing.

Will My Experience Help Others?

Absolutely. Whether the trial treatment works for you or not, the data is valuable. It helps researchers fine-tune therapies, understand side effects better and improve the experience for the next patient. 

You might even want to share your experience through a support group, patient advocacy program or research review board. Some patients find a lot of meaning in this way.

Staying Informed and Empowered

Medical research is constantly evolving. Even after your trial needs, staying informed means you’ll always be ready to make decisions confidently. Sign up for patient newsletters, follow trusted cancer organizations or ask your doctor about what’s on the horizon in multiple myeloma research. 

Empower Your Decision

Clinical trials offer hope, possibility and progress to millions of patients worldwide. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or navigating relapsed or refractory myeloma, a clinical trial could connect you with the next generation of treatments. Thanks to platforms like SparkCures and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, finding a clinical trial that fits your unique situation is easier than ever.