A recent study of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients found that Revlimid (lenalidomide) and low-dose dexamethasone (Decadron) resulted in better short-term overall survival and fewer severe side effects than Revlimid and high-dose dexamethasone.  Results were so convincing after one year that the trial was stopped early.

For years, Revlimid plus high-dose dexamethasone has been a standard treatment for multiple myeloma.

“The results of the study have already changed practice worldwide,” said Dr. S. Vincent Rajkumar of the Mayo …

The potential benefits of vesselplasty for the treatment of spinal fractures are highlighted in a recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology.  Patients treated with vesselplasty, including some with multiple myeloma, experienced significant reductions in pain, immobility, and the use of painkillers.

Spinal fractures, also known as collapsed vertebrae or vertebral compression fractures, can develop in multiple myeloma patients who suffer from bone weakening.

Vesselplasty is a minimally invasive, image-guided surgical procedure that has emerged as an alternative to …

A new study in the journal Blood investigates why myeloma cells often fail to respond to the chemotherapy intended to kill them. The study reports that macrophages found in bone marrow may be keeping multiple myeloma cells from dying. Macrophages are white blood cells that typically destroy invading cells, including tumor cells.

In this study, myeloma cells were isolated from the bone marrow of myeloma patients and macrophages from the blood of healthy donors. The two cell types were grown …

Results May Explain Link Between Environmental Toxins And Myeloma – On August 13, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) announced that researchers at the IMF gene bank, Bank on a Cure, have identified several changes in DNA sequences that are thought to influence how the body responds to certain toxins. The findings provide a possible explanation for the connection between the environment and myeloma. For more information, see the IMF press release and the Myeloma Beacon article on the

A recent clinical trial examining the effect of Nexavar (sorafenib) on multiple myeloma patients was terminated because of lack of effectiveness.

Nexavar is currently approved for the treatment of advanced kidney and liver cancers. It acts to stop the activity of overactive proteins that can cause cells to become cancerous.

This Phase 2 study enrolled 23 heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients, who were given a 400 mg oral dose of Nexavar daily until their disease progressed or toxicity was noted.

The study …

A study published in the journal Blood suggests that certain myeloma growth factors may one day serve as a target for therapies. This particular study found significant results pertaining to insulin-like growth factor type 1, or IGF-1.

IGF-1 is a molecule produced in bone marrow that binds to the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), if present. Binding sets off a cascade of molecular events that ultimately stimulates cell growth. Many myeloma growth factors exist, and this study investigated five.

Using cell lines …

A new study in the journal Blood shows that adding Mozobil (plerixafor) to Neupogen (filgrastim) prior to stem cell harvesting significantly increases harvest efficiency.

Mozobil is a new drug designed to mobilize stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream, where they can be collected. Neupogen, which is commonly given prior to stem cell harvesting, stimulates the body to make white blood cells.

When given together, Mozobil and Neupogen have been shown to increase harvest efficiency in myeloma patients prior …