From May 14–17, 2026, the 12th International Congress on Controversies in Multiple Myeloma (COMy 2026) was successfully held in Paris, France. Recognized as one of the most influential academic meetings in the field of multiple myeloma (MM), COMy has long been distinguished by its focused format, in-depth scientific discussions, and emphasis on unresolved clinical questions.As therapeutic innovation continues to accelerate, the treatment landscape of multiple myeloma is undergoing profound transformation. Novel targeted agents, bispecific antibodies, and CAR-T cell therapies have rapidly expanded treatment options, challenging traditional therapeutic paradigms and reshaping clinical practice worldwide.
During COMy 2026, Congress Co-Chairs Mohamad Mohty, María-Victoria Mateos, and Arnon Nagler presided over a series of prestigious award ceremonies honoring pioneers whose contributions have fundamentally shaped the evolution of myeloma care. Through award lectures and scientific presentations, attendees were offered a unique opportunity to revisit the major milestones that have defined the field—from stem cell transplantation and imaging standardization to the development of modern immunotherapies.
Together, these distinguished honorees provided both a historical perspective and a forward-looking vision for the future of multiple myeloma research and patient care.
MM Pioneers Award
Gösta Gahrton: A Transplantation Pioneer Who Helped Lay the Foundation for Myeloma Immunotherapy
The 2026 MM Pioneers Award was presented to Professor Gösta Gahrton, Emeritus Professor at the Karolinska Institute, in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions during the formative years of multiple myeloma research.
Professor Gahrton has devoted decades to advancing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and has held numerous leadership positions throughout his career, including serving as Chairman of the Nobel Committee at the Karolinska Institute and President of both the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA).
At a time when treatment options for multiple myeloma were extremely limited and conventional chemotherapy offered only modest benefit, Professor Gahrton led some of the earliest clinical investigations evaluating allogeneic stem cell transplantation in MM. These pioneering studies provided the first clinical evidence that donor-derived immune cells could exert a graft-versus-myeloma effect, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of immune-mediated tumor control.
His work fundamentally changed the conceptual framework of myeloma treatment, establishing the biological rationale that would later support the development of modern immunotherapeutic approaches.
During the award presentation, Professor Mohamad Mohty highlighted Professor Gahrton’s dual legacy: not only did he help establish immunotherapy as a viable treatment strategy in MM, but his leadership within international organizations such as EBMT also contributed significantly to the standardization of transplant procedures worldwide, improving access to high-quality care across different healthcare systems.
In his award lecture, Professor Gahrton reflected on the challenges faced during the early years of transplantation research, including graft rejection, transplant-related complications, and the absence of established protocols. He also praised COMy’s unique academic format, emphasizing that the congress continues to play a critical role in fostering scientific debate and helping the global community build consensus around unresolved clinical questions.
Outstanding Woman in Myeloma Award
Elena Zamagni: Advancing Precision Imaging and Standardized Disease Assessment
Bridging the gap between therapeutic innovation and precision clinical decision-making, imaging has become an indispensable component of modern myeloma management. This year’s Outstanding Woman in Myeloma Award was presented to Dr. Elena Zamagni of the University of Bologna in recognition of her outstanding contributions to imaging research and disease assessment.
Over the past two decades, Dr. Zamagni has emerged as one of the world’s leading experts in functional imaging, minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring, high-dose therapy optimization, and prognostic biomarker development. She has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, many of which have directly influenced international treatment guidelines.
During her award lecture, Dr. Zamagni recounted her collaborative efforts with researchers across Europe and beyond to establish standardized applications of PET-CT imaging in multiple myeloma. Prior to these initiatives, substantial variability existed among institutions regarding image interpretation, frequently resulting in inconsistent staging and treatment decisions.
Through extensive clinical research and active participation in guideline committees within both the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and the European Myeloma Network (EMN), Dr. Zamagni played a pivotal role in developing internationally accepted imaging criteria for MM.
Using illustrative clinical cases and comparative analyses, she demonstrated how standardized imaging assessments have improved disease classification, treatment monitoring, and prognostic evaluation. She also emphasized the growing importance of integrating advanced imaging modalities with MRD assessment to further refine response evaluation and guide personalized treatment strategies.
Her work has helped transform imaging from a diagnostic adjunct into a critical component of precision myeloma care.
Jean-Luc Harousseau Lifetime Achievement Award
Saad Usmani: Driving the Clinical Translation of Modern Immunotherapies
The congress’s highest scientific distinction, the Jean-Luc Harousseau Lifetime Achievement Award, was awarded to Dr. Saad Usmani, Chief of the Myeloma Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), in recognition of his transformative contributions to the clinical development of novel immunotherapies.
Named after Professor Jean-Luc Harousseau, one of the architects of modern autologous stem cell transplantation strategies and founder of the influential French Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome (IFM), the award honors individuals whose work has fundamentally altered the treatment landscape of multiple myeloma.
Throughout his career, Dr. Usmani has focused on accelerating the clinical translation of innovative therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and CAR-T cell therapies.
As principal investigator and steering committee member for numerous global phase III clinical trials, Dr. Usmani has played a central role in bringing several landmark therapies—including anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies, multiple bispecific antibodies, and CAR-T products—from clinical development to regulatory approval.
These advances have dramatically improved outcomes for patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, a population that historically faced limited treatment options.
Leading a multidisciplinary research team, Dr. Usmani has authored more than 300 scientific publications and continues to drive innovation across the spectrum of myeloma care.
Participating via video presentation, Dr. Usmani reflected on the profound influence of Professor Harousseau and the IFM clinical trial model. He emphasized that the rigorous scientific framework established by previous generations of investigators created the foundation upon which modern immunotherapy development has flourished.
His lecture also provided a comprehensive overview of current immunotherapeutic strategies, discussing patient selection, toxicity management, emerging resistance mechanisms, and future development priorities. Importantly, he highlighted several remaining unmet clinical needs that will shape the next generation of therapeutic innovation.
Connecting the Milestones of Myeloma Progress
Taken together, the three award lectures offered far more than individual career retrospectives. They collectively traced the evolution of multiple myeloma management across several decades.
Professor Gahrton’s pioneering transplantation studies established the first proof of immune-mediated disease control. Dr. Zamagni’s work brought precision and standardization to disease assessment. Dr. Usmani’s contributions have helped usher in the modern era of targeted immunotherapy.
Although their careers span different generations and focus on distinct aspects of myeloma research, their achievements form a continuous scientific narrative—one that mirrors the transformation of MM from a disease treated with broadly applied cytotoxic therapies into one increasingly managed through personalized, biology-driven approaches.
This progression reflects the central mission of COMy 2026: fostering scientific dialogue, challenging established assumptions, and accelerating the translation of innovation into meaningful patient benefit.
Conclusion
The COMy 2026 award ceremony served not only as a celebration of individual achievement but also as a powerful reflection of the remarkable progress achieved within the field of multiple myeloma.
By honoring pioneers in transplantation, leaders in diagnostic innovation, and architects of modern immunotherapy, the congress highlighted the interconnected discoveries that have collectively transformed patient outcomes over the past several decades.
True to its mission of facilitating meaningful scientific exchange, COMy continues to provide a unique platform where historical perspective meets future innovation. Through open dialogue, international collaboration, and shared commitment to advancing patient care, the congress helps ensure that scientific breakthroughs are rapidly translated into clinical practice.
As global collaboration in hematologic malignancies continues to strengthen, COMy remains uniquely positioned to bridge research and clinical implementation, foster new partnerships, and address the most pressing challenges facing the myeloma community.
The stories of this year’s award recipients remind us that progress in multiple myeloma is built not upon a single discovery, but upon generations of scientific dedication. Their achievements continue to illuminate the path toward more effective treatments, improved quality of life, and ultimately, the possibility of cure.
