An international group of myeloma researchers has recently identified five genetic variations that may be associated with an increased risk of developing thalidomide-related peripheral neuropathy.  Several of these genes are involved in repairing nerves or controlling inflammation in the peripheral nervous system.

The researchers indicated that these genetic variations may be a tool to help identify patients who are at a greater risk of developing thalidomide-related peripheral neuropathy.

However, the researchers pointed out that their findings were based on data …

Opinion: A Multiple Myeloma Patient’s Viewpoint On Randomized Clinical Trials – In the latest article published in the opinion section of The Myeloma Beacon, Dr. Jim Omel, a physician and multiple myeloma patient, wrote about how the clinical trial process could be changed to encourage greater par­tic­i­pa­tion among myeloma and other cancer patients. To receive a copy of all opinion articles when they are published or if you are interested in contributing an opinion piece, send an email to // …

A recent European study found that the percentage of plasma cells detected in a bone marrow sample is a strong predictor of multiple myeloma progression following stem cell transplantation.

Although the current definition for complete remission requires less than 5 percent of plasma cells in a bone marrow sample, the study’s authors found that patients with more than 1.5 percent bone marrow plasma cells were more likely to progress. Additionally, there was a trend toward shorter survival in these patients. …

Results of a recently published study show that a steroid-free regimen of Velcade and thalidomide is effective in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.

This finding is particularly significant for patients who are unable to tolerate treatment with steroids due to their side effects, according to the study’s lead author Dr. Ivan Borello from the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore,

“The purpose of this study was to develop a therapy that could be used for patients in …

Multiple myeloma patients who continued Revlimid treatment after achieving at least a partial response experienced significantly higher overall survival compared to patients who discontinued treatment, according to a recent study published in the journal Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma, & Leukemia.

However, the study authors noted that proper management of side effects is necessary for patients to achieve the survival benefit.

Two previous Phase 3 trials showed that Revlimid (lenalidomide) plus dexamethasone (Decadron) improved overall survival more than dexamethasone …

A recent European study reported poorer overall survival in patients with rare IgD, IgE, and IgM multiple myelomas following stem cell transplantation compared to patients with the more common IgG, IgA, or light chain myelomas. However, the overall survival of nonsecretory myeloma patients, another rare type of myeloma, was similar to that of common myeloma patients.

The authors added that the survival data from their analysis is better than previous data for patients with rare myelomas who received a stem …

Opinion: Stem Cell Collection And Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment – In the latest article published in the opinion section of The Beacon, Lori Puente, whose husband is a multiple myeloma patient, wrote about her husband’s use of hyperbaric oxygen treatment to improve his number of stem cells available for collection.  Lori’s husband Dave received extensive radiation for his bone damage.  After being told that the radiation would likely severely hinder Dave’s ability to collect enough stem cells, Lori and Dave …