Leading myeloma specialists from across Europe recently published an article in the journal The Oncologist that summarized the current treatment options and availability of therapeutic agents for multiple myeloma patients in Europe. This article, Part 2 in a series, summarizes the European physician’s treatment recommendations for newly diagnosed patients. Part 1 compares availability of myeloma treatments in Europe and the U.S., and subsequent articles will summarize treatment recommendations for relapsed patients and management of side effects.

First-Line Treatment Practices

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Leading myeloma specialists from across Europe recently published an article in the journal The Oncologist that summarized the current treatment options and availability of therapeutic agents for multiple myeloma patients in Europe. This article, Part 1 in a series, compares availability of the treatments in Europe and the United States. Subsequent articles will summarize the European physicians’ treatment recommendations for newly diagnosed patients, relapsed patients, and management of side effects.

Prior to the introduction of novel therapeutic agents within the …

The combination regimen of Revlimid (lenalidomide), melphalan (Alkeran), prednisone, and thalidomide (Thalomid), abbreviated RMPT, is an active and safe therapy for multiple myeloma patients who have relapsed or who are resistant (refractory) to previous myeloma treatment. The findings were published recently in the journal Leukemia.

Although melphalan-prednisone (MP) combination has been a standard therapy in multiple myeloma for the last thirty years, the introduction of novel agents, such as Revlimid, thalidomide and Velcade, has significantly …

An expert panel of European hematologists has published guidelines for treating newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients with thalidomide (Thalomid) in addition to melphalan (Alkeran) and prednisone. The guidelines are intended to help physicians and patients manage the side effects commonly associated with thalidomide treatment.

For the last four decades, the standard front-line therapy for newly diagnosed myeloma patients who are ineligible for stem cell transplantation has been a combination regimen of melphalan and prednisone (MP). However, the …

Pat Killingsworth, a former social studies teacher and real estate agent from Wisconsin, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma three years ago. “You try to find meaning when you’re 51 years old and somebody says you have cancer and are going to die in three to four years,” said Killingsworth.

“What are you going to do with three to four years? I decided I wanted to write two or three books to help cancer patients. I wanted to help them speed …

Continuous treatment with Velcade (bortezomib), doxorubicin (Adriamycin), and dexamethasone (Decadron) (VDD), followed by thalidomide (Thalomid) and dexamethasone (TD), is a safe and effective salvage therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, according to a study recently published in the journal Annals of Hematology.

The treatment of myeloma patients who have relapsed or who are resistant (refractory) to treatment remains a challenge for doctors. In these cases, doctors must implement a “plan B” method of treatment, which …

Perifosine Receives “Orphan Medicinal Product Designation” In Europe For Myeloma – On March 1, Aeterna Zentaris announced that it received a positive opinion for orphan medicinal product designation for perifosine for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Perifosine is currently being studied in a Phase 3 trial for myeloma. Orphan medicinal product designation, similar to orphan drug status in the U.S., encourages development of drugs for rare medical conditions. The status gives the drug’s developer assistance with the application …