WHAT IS
MULTIPLE MYELOMA?

Multiple myeloma overview

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the special white blood cells that produce antibodies, also known as plasma cells. Multiple myeloma affects the bone marrow, which is the spongy inner part of bones where blood cells are made.

Diagram showing plasma cells within bone marrow. In multiple myeloma, plasma cells become cancerous and multiply.

How multiple myeloma develops

Myeloma cells can multiply quickly and can build up in the bone marrow, crowding out healthy blood cells. Myeloma cells often produce large quantities of an abnormal antibody, called M protein (also known as monoclonal protein or monoclonal immunoglobulin) and keep healthy bone marrow from making enough blood cells for the body to fight infections and other diseases. M protein is found in unusually large amounts in the blood or urine of many people with multiple myeloma. Myeloma cells can cause bone damage, kidney impairment, and anemia. Anemia is a low level of red blood cells or hemoglobin and can cause several symptoms, including shortness of breath, weakness, and fatigue.

Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma

People with multiple myeloma may experience a number of symptoms that lead them to seek medical attention. However, some people may not have any symptoms, or their symptoms may be vague.

Symptoms may include:

Confusion, thirst, loss of appetite, irregular or abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia)
Fatigue, changes in urination, swelling in legs and feet
Shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat
Bone pain, fractures, spinal cord compression

These symptoms are known by the acronym CRAB that stands for:

Calcium
levels increased in blood

Renal
(kidney) problems

Anemia

Bone
damage

Multiple myeloma diagnosis

Recent studies have uncovered signs of multiple myeloma that can be detected by advanced lab tests and imaging. These signs, or biomarkers, are known by the acronym SLiM and are defined below. Testing for these biomarkers allows healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat multiple myeloma earlier and help prevent organ damage.

Sixty percent or greater clonal bone marrow plasma cells—excessive production of abnormal plasma cells (also known as myeloma cells) in the bone marrow.

Light chain ratio of 100 or greater in the blood serum—excessive plasma cell production in myeloma causes the ratio between 2 types of light chain proteins found in blood to be unbalanced by a factor

MRI with more than 1 focal lesion—magnetic resonance imaging shows an abnormality in part of the bone or bone marrow.

When multiple
myeloma returns

Learn about signs and symptoms when
multiple myeloma comes back

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

How
NINLARO works

Find out how NINLARO works by
binding to proteasomes inside cells.

DISCOVER MECHANISM OF ACTION

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR NINLARO^® (ixazomib)

NINLARO may cause serious side effects, including:

Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) are common with NINLARO and can sometimes be serious. You may need platelet transfusions if your counts are too low. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs of low platelet counts, including bleeding and easy bruising.

Stomach and intestinal (gastrointestinal) problems. Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and vomiting are common with NINLARO and can sometimes be severe. Call your healthcare provider if you get any of these symptoms and they do not go away during treatment with NINLARO. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicine to help treat your symptoms.

Nerve problems are common with NINLARO and may also be severe. Tell your healthcare provider if you get any new or worsening symptoms including: tingling, numbness, pain, a burning feeling in your feet or hands, or weakness in your arms or legs.

Swelling is common with NINLARO and can sometimes be severe. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop swelling in your arms, hands, legs, ankles, or feet, or if you gain weight from swelling.

Skin Reactions. Rashes are common with NINLARO. NINLARO can cause rashes and other skin reactions that can be serious and can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get a new or worsening rash, severe blistering or peeling of the skin, or mouth sores.

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). This is a condition involving blood clots and injury to small blood vessels that may cause harm to your kidneys, brain, and other organs, and may lead to death. Get medical help right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms during treatment with NINLARO: fever, bruising, nose bleeds, tiredness, or decreased urination.

Liver problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you get these signs of a liver problem: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes; pain in your right upper-stomach area.

Other common side effects of NINLARO include low white blood cell counts and bronchitis.

Tell your healthcare provider if you get new or worsening signs or symptoms of the following during treatment with NINLARO:

skin rash and pain (shingles) due to reactivation of the chicken pox virus (herpes zoster)

blurred vision or other changes in your vision, dry eye, and pink eye (conjunctivitis)

These are not all the possible side effects of NINLARO. Talk to your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Takeda at 1-844-217-6468 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before taking NINLARO, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

have liver problems.

have kidney problems or are on dialysis.

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. NINLARO can harm your unborn baby.

Females who are able to become pregnant:

Avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with NINLARO.
Your healthcare provider will do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with NINLARO.
You should use effective non-hormonal birth control during treatment and for 90 days after your last dose of NINLARO. If using hormonal contraceptives (for example, birth control pills), you should also use an additional barrier method of contraception (for example, diaphragm or condom). Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that may be right for you during this time.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with NINLARO.

Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant:

You should use effective birth control during treatment and for 90 days after your last dose of NINLARO.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if your partner becomes pregnant or thinks she may be pregnant while you are being treated with NINLARO.

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if NINLARO passes into breast milk, if it affects an infant who is breastfed, or breast milk production. Do not breastfeed during treatment with NINLARO and for 90 days after your last dose of NINLARO.

Taking too much NINLARO (overdose) can cause serious side effects, including death. If you take more NINLARO than instructed by your healthcare provider, call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. Take your medicine pack with you.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements or before starting any new medicines. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new medicines during treatment with NINLARO.

WHAT IS
MULTIPLE MYELOMA?

Multiple myeloma overview

How multiple myeloma develops