Independent Myeloma Alliance Switzerland (IMA)

The association was founded with the purpose of strengthening and modernizing healthcare systems to ensure medicine and health for all people, regardless of their wealth or place of residence. This requires at least six complementary research areas, which are exemplarily in the focus of IMA Switzerland: i. Adequate diagnosis of multiple myeloma and its precursor diseases; ii. Understanding the pathogenesis and Achilles' heel of multiple myeloma; iii. Adequate treatment options; iv. Adequate selection of medications for specific situations. This includes, among other things: a. Molecular profiling of malignant plasma cells and the bone marrow microenvironment for targeted treatment of specific changes such as del17p and risk assessment (e.g. highly proliferative myeloma); b. Evaluation of minimal residual disease and application in specific clinical situations such as termination or initiation of maintenance therapy; c. Diversity, for example, but not limited to, ethnic, geographic, gender-specific or other differences; v. Adequate access to medications, e.g. in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including, for example, Africa. Possible improvement strategies include, among other things: a. Economic and whole disease modeling; b. Policy-making at international and national levels; c. Direct interaction, e.g. targeted conduct of clinical trials in LMICs; vi. Support and education (including, for example, for study conduct and GCP training) in cooperation with established patient organizations for: a. Patients and their caregivers; b. Medical personnel (e.g. doctors, nursing staff, clinical trial conductors).