--Founded the Italian Myeloma Study Group, a Pioneering Investigator Consortium in Europe--

North Hollywood, CA and Würzburg, Germany, February 6, 2008 – The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) – supporting research and providing education, advocacy and support for myeloma patients, families, researchers and physicians – today presented the sixth annual Robert A. Kyle Lifetime Achievement Award to Mario Boccadoro, M.D., Head of the Hematology section of the Oncology division at the University of Torino. Professor Boccadoro created the Italian Myeloma Study Group (MSG), the first myeloma research consortium in Italy and among the first such groups in Europe. The Kyle Lifetime Achievement Award honors the physician who most exemplifies a singular compassion to patients with myeloma and dedication to their treatment.

The award was presented February 6, 2008 during a special award ceremony given in Prof. Boccadoro's honor at the Palazzina di Caccia Stupinigi. This historic venue built in 1729 for King Vittorio Amedeo II was a prefect setting for such a prestigious event. The VI Annual Robert A. Kyle Lifetime Achievement Award dinner coincided with the European Trialist Forum on blood cancers which also took place in Torino.

Under Prof. Boccadoro's direction, the MSG has conducted a series of pivotal clinical trials including pioneering work on stem cell transplantation, and studies covering the range of promising novel agents: thalidomide, REVLIMID®, and VELCADE®. Among Prof. Boccadoro's recent accomplishments are combining melphalan/prednisone (MP) with thalidomide, a regimen he developed with Antonio Palumbo that is achieving excellent results. More recently his work has laid the groundwork for combining REVLIMID with MP, a regimen that appears to be even more effective in studies now underway.

"Mario has had a remarkable and productive career, and his work exemplifies the commitment to patient care and improving patient outcomes that are the qualities recognized by this award," said Brian G.M. Durie, M.D., chairman and co-founder of the IMF. "His dedication to research and his numerous contributions to improving patients' lives mirror the admirable pursuits of Dr. Robert A. Kyle, for whom this award is named.

"Prof. Boccadoro began his association with myeloma in 1978 when, as a post-doctoral fellow in Brussels he began working with Prof. Benjamin Van Camp, one of the early researchers in the field. Subsequently, he was appointed assistant professor at the University of Torino in the department of Prof. Allessandro Pileri, a noted researcher in the area of multiple myeloma. In the early 1980s, Prof. Boccadoro spent two years at the Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson as a visiting investigator where he worked with Dr. Durie and Dr. Sydney Salmon, co-developers of the Durie/Salmon Staging System for myeloma. Since 2000, he has been Professor and Head of the Hematology section of the Oncology division at the University of Torino.

Prof. Boccadoro's well-respected trials have been published in major journals including, The New England Journal of Medicine, Blood and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. He is a member of numerous professional societies both in Europe and in the United States.

The prestigious award is named after Dr. Robert A. Kyle, noted physician and founder of the Myeloma and Related Diseases Research Group at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Kyle himself was the first recipient of the award in 2003. Subsequently, the award has been presented to Dr. Bart Barlogie of the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, Dr. Kenneth Anderson of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie of the Cedars Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Prof. Dr. Heinz Ludwig, of the Center of Oncology and Hematology, Wilheminenspital, Vienna.

ABOUT The International Myeloma Foundation
The International Myeloma Foundation is the oldest and largest myeloma organization, reaching more than 165,000 members in 113 countries worldwide.  A 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients and their families, the IMF focuses in four key areas: research, education, support and advocacy. To date, the IMF has conducted more than 100 educational seminars worldwide, maintains a world-renowned hotline, and operates Bank On A Cure®, a unique gene bank to advance myeloma research. The IMF can be reached at (800) 452-CURE. The global Website is www.myeloma.org with a companion Website in Spanish at www.myelomala.org.

Contact:
International Myeloma Foundation
800-452-2873
Media:
Stephen Gendel
+1 212-918-4650