Results of a recent German study show that the chromosomal abnormalities del(17p13) and +1q21 may reduce overall survival in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients receiving Revlimid-dexamethasone compared to patients without these abnormalities.

The results also indicate that patients with t(14;16) receiving Revlimid-dexamethasone have a shorter time to disease progression than patients without this abnormality. In addition, patients with del(13q14) in combination with certain other chromosomal abnormalities may have decreased response rates and a shorter time to disease progression.

The study authors, …

A group of leading myeloma specialists, known as the International Myeloma Working Group, recently collaborated to develop guidelines for the proper management of anemia with erythropoietin therapy in multiple myeloma patients. The group advised erythropoietin therapy for anemic myeloma patients receiving chemotherapy in order to improve quality of life and to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions. They further recommended the addition of iron to improve the efficiency of erythropoietin therapy.

Dr. Heinz Ludwig of the Wilhelminen Hospital …

Results of a recent Italian study show that a four-drug combination regimen of Velcade, Doxil, dexamethasone, and thalidomide may be more effective than two- or three-drug combinations for multiple myeloma patients who have relapsed or are resistant to prior treatment.

“This study clearly reinforced the idea that aggressive therapy, even in the second-line relapse setting, is of great value,” said Dr. Mario Curti, a hematologist at Los Alamitos Medical Center in Los Alamitos, California, who was not involved in the …

University Of Arkansas Begins Phase 2 Study Of Natural Killer Cell Therapy For Multiple Myeloma – Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences are cur­rently recruiting high-risk, re­lapsed multiple myeloma patients to par­tic­i­pate in a Phase 2 clin­i­cal trial investigating the effectiveness of natural killer cell ther­apy. A natural killer cell is a type of white blood cell that fights cancer cells. Participants will be treated with Velcade (bor­tez­o­mib) as well as natural killer cell infusions and protein …

Subcutaneous Velcade Injections Show Similar Efficacy But Fewer Side Effects Than IV Injections For Myeloma Patients – Results of a recent French study show that subcutaneous injections of Velcade (bortezomib) produce similar efficacy but fewer side effects for myeloma patients compared to IV injections. Dr. Philippe Moreau, the study’s lead investigator, first presented the results at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting last December. The study authors compared the responses of 148 patients who received subcutaneous Velcade …

Results of a recent Polish study show that the drug Mozobil may help multiple myeloma patients who previously had a stem cell transplant collect enough stem cells for a second transplant.

However, the results also showed that previously transplanted patients collected fewer stem cells than patients who had not received a stem cell transplant before.

According to the study authors, these results showed for the first time that Mozobil (plerixafor) is highly effective for previously transplanted myeloma patients.

Autologous …

Results of a recent study conducted by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, indicate that pomalidomide (Pomalyst) may be effective in patients who develop extramedullary disease during treatment with thalidomide, Revlimid, or Velcade.

However, the results also showed these patients had shorter overall survival times than patients who did not develop extramedullary disease during treatment.

The study authors indicated that further studies are required to determine whether novel drugs directly increase the likelihood of developing extramedullary …