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a new cell-based treatment for blood cancer developed by johnson & johnson and its china-based partner legend biotech corp is now fda-approved for use in the united states.
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multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer caused by a buildup of abnormal plasma cells, or white blood cells that make antibodies, in bone marrow, according to the canadian cancer society . the disease makes it difficult for the bone marrow to develop, which can cause anemia and fatigue due to a reduced amount of red blood cells. multiple myeloma can also cause bone tumours. despite some treatments being available, the five-year survival rate for multiple myeloma is 54 per cent.
most myeloma patients (male and female) are diagnosed between 70 to 80 years of age, reports myeloma canada — people under the age of 45 make up just four per cent of those diagnoses.
it is estimated that in 2021, 3,800 canadians were diagnosed with multiple myeloma — 2,300 men and 1,500 women, the canadian cancer society reports. additionally, 1,600 of the 3,800 diagnosed are estimated to have died.