Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM) is a lymphoma, or cancer of the lymphatic system. The disease begins in a type of white blood cell called a B-lymphocyte, which normally matures into a plasma cell. In WM, there is a malignant change to the B-cell and it continues to proliferate into a clone of identical cells in the bone marrow, lymph nodes and other tissues and organs of the lymphatic system. 

The current standard treatments for WM consist of Rituxan (rituximab), Imbruvica (ibrutinib) combinations or monotherapy in the first- and second-line setting. Treatment is mainly focused on the control of symptoms and the prevention of organ damage. 

The CureTalks panel talks to Dr. Larry Anderson of UT Southwestern Medical Center and Dr. Rachid C. Baz of Moffitt Cancer Center on the current standards of care for WM, as well as  novel agents currently being evaluated. Joining the panel bringing in the patient perspective are advocates Meg Mangin and Peter DeNardis.