MYELOMATCH: A Screening Study to Assign People With Myeloid Cancer to a Treatment Study or Standard of Care Treatment Within myeloMATCH (MyeloMATCH Screening Trial)

To join this study, you generally need to be suspected of having acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) for the first time, meaning you haven't been treated for it before. You must be 18 years old or older. Some prior medications, like specific uses of hydroxyurea, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, or lenalidomide for a short period, are usually allowed. However, if you're taking hydroxyurea, you'd need to agree to stop it within 24 hours before starting any study treatment.

There are also some things that might mean you can't join. For example, if you've already had treatment for AML or MDS, or if you have another cancer that needs active treatment at the same time, you probably won't be able to participate. The study also checks your general health and how well you can perform daily activities (this is called a 'performance status'), to make sure you're well enough.

Before deciding, you'll need to agree to provide tissue samples for testing, and you'll be fully informed about what the study involves. Remember, this is just a general guide, and the study team will go through all the details with you to see if it's right.

If you decide to take part in this study, you would first have a registration appointment. During this appointment, doctors would collect samples of your bone marrow (through an aspiration and biopsy) and blood. These samples are crucial because they're used for rapid genetic and biomarker testing. The study aims to get these test results quickly, usually within 72 hours for initial treatment decisions, or within 10 days if you're having further assessments later in your treatment.

Based on your test results and the specific markers found in your samples, you would then be assigned to either a specific MyeloMATCH treatment study (which might involve different medications or procedures) or to continue with standard care through a pathway called TAP (Tier Advancement Pathway). If you're on the TAP pathway, you'll continue with your usual treatment but remain part of the broader study, allowing doctors to track your progress and potentially move you to a more specific treatment study later if your cancer changes or new options become available.

Throughout your participation, especially if you're on the TAP pathway, the study will continue to monitor your condition, potentially involving further bone marrow and blood tests to track your cancer's status and see how well treatments are working. The exact duration of your participation would depend on your individual treatment plan and assignment within the study.