The preliminary findings of a Phase 3 trial suggest that Revlimid (lenalidomide) improves the complete response rate in multiple myeloma patients who had undergone an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Researchers presented the results of the trial at the American Society of Hematology’s annual meeting in December 2009.

In mid-January, Celgene further announced that, based on an interim analysis reviewed by an independent committee, the Phase 3 trial has met an additional primary endpoint. Patients on Revlimid showed better …

The results of a recent Phase 3 clinical trial indicate that treatment with high-dose melphalan (Alkeran) prior to a stem cell transplant results in a longer period of remission for myeloma patients than treatment with reduced-intensity melphalan. The differences in remission duration were larger for patients younger than 60 years old.

Based on the significant difference in progression-free survival between the two treatment groups, the researchers concluded that high-dose (200 mg/m²) melphalan is more effective in preparing younger, medically …

The findings of a new study suggest that a combination regimen of Velcade (bortezomib), thalidomide (Thalomid), and prednisone, abbreviated as VTP, is as effective as the standard combination of Velcade, melphalan (Alkeran), and prednisone, abbreviated as VMP, in the treatment of elderly patients with multiple myeloma. The trial also discovered that the addition of maintenance therapy led to increased response rates. Researchers presented their Phase 3 study results at the American Society of Hematology’s (ASH) 51st …

ASH 2009 Conference Prompts Doctors To Change Myeloma Treatment Practices, Study Finds – A study conducted by Majestic Marketing Research Group discovered that 43 percent of doctors surveyed intend to change their multiple myeloma treatment practices based on results presented at the American Society of Hematology’s 2009 meeting. Most of these changes will increase use of either Velcade (bortezomib) or Revlimid (lenalidomide). The MM-015 study evaluating a Revlimid combination (see related Beacon news) left a particularly strong …

Facet Biotech Enrolls First Patient In Elotuzumab Phase 2 Myeloma Study – Facet Biotech an­nounced the first patient’s en­roll­ment in a Phase 2 study of elotuzumab, which is cur­rently being in­ves­ti­gated for the treat­ment of re­lapsed mul­ti­ple myeloma. Up to 60 patients will be recruited to re­ceive either 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg of elotuzumab in com­bi­na­tion with Revlimid (lena­lido­mide) and low-dose dexamethasone (Decadron). In the Phase 1 trial, 92 per­cent of patients who com­pleted at least two treat­ment …

Celgene Corporation, the manufacturer of Revlimid (lenalidomide), announced on Monday that the company plans to file for approval of Revlimid as a treatment for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Celgene intends to file for regulatory approval in the United States and Europe in the second half of this year.

“Our objective is to make sure that the patients who have a fatal disease, a currently incurable disease, can take medicines that turn this into a chronic treatable disease,” said Celgene’s …

Research shows that papain, a compound found in papaya fruit trees, may serve as a useful supplementary therapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Papain is an enzyme that breaks down proteins. One such protein, called fibrin, makes up the protective layer of cancer cells. Papain degrades fibrin and damages this protective layer, making the cells more susceptible to immune response or chemotherapy. The compound also hinders tumor growth and prevents it from spreading to other parts of the body. …