A group of leading myeloma specialists, known as the International Myeloma Working Group, recently collaborated to develop guidelines for the proper management of bone disease in multiple myeloma. The group recommended that patients with bone disease should be treated with standard dosages of intravenous bisphosphonates. A minimally invasive procedure called kyphoplasty may also be considered to reduce bone pain and improve functional ability.

Dr. David Roodman of the University of Pittsburgh presented these findings at the International Myeloma Workshop (IMW) …

In a recent literature review, Canadian researchers confirmed that the use of aspirin, warfarin, and heparin decreases the risk for blood clots in multiple myeloma patients receiving thalidomide treatment.

However, the authors of the review pointed out that they were unable to recommend a specific strategy for blood clot prevention due to inconsistent reporting of blood clotting events among the trials. 

They pointed out that randomized, controlled trials directly comparing the different medications are needed in order to determine the …

A group of Italian researchers found that vertebroplasty provides durable pain relief for multiple myeloma patients with spinal compression fractures. In addition, the procedure reduced the patients’ need for pain-relieving medications and back braces.

At least 70 percent of multiple myeloma patients suffer from bone disease, which is characterized by bone pain, fractures, and elevated calcium levels.  Patients frequently experience compression fractures in the spine, which may cause back pain, partial paralysis of limbs, decreased sensation, and poor urinary control. …

A group of Italian researchers found that elevated monoclonal protein levels and decreased platelet counts are associated with an increased risk of severe infection in multiple myeloma patients treated with thalidomide-based combination therapies.

The researchers also showed that patients who were at a low or intermediate risk for severe infections did not benefit from preventative treatment with antibiotics.

“I think it is reasonable to stop taking prophylaxis in low-intermediate risk patients,” said Dr. Massimo Offidani, lead author of the study. …

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recently announced several additions and changes to its guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of multiple myeloma at the NCCN 16^th Annual Conference on March 11.

The NCCN guidelines are used by physicians when deciding among treatment options for their patients and also by Medicare to determine whether to pay for treatments if the drugs are used differently than their FDA-approved use.

Several treatment options for multiple myeloma were added to the latest edition …

Many new and promising research developments were made in the field of multiple myeloma during 2010. Over the course of the year, The Myeloma Beacon published more than 100 articles on important myeloma-related studies.

To highlight the most important of these studies from 2010, The Myeloma Beacon surveyed leading physicians and researchers in the field.  They were asked to name the three peer-reviewed journal articles published in 2010 and the three conference presentations from 2010 that have the most …

Results of a recent study suggest that balloon kyphoplasty provides better pain relief and more back-specific mobility one month after treatment than non-surgical care in multiple myeloma patients and other cancer patients with spinal fractures.

Based on these findings, the study authors suggested that balloon kyphoplasty be considered as an early treatment option for cancer patients with vertebral compression fractures.

One of the hallmarks of multiple myeloma is bone disease, which is noted by bone pain, bone fractures or lesions, …