The findings of a recent study, which will appear in Cancer Cell this month, provide a clue to the mystery of multiple myeloma cancer cells’ resistance to powerful drugs. A specific type of immune system cell is literally “switching teams” and protecting the cancer cells instead of destroying them.

The study’s authors note that this is the first time that any type of immune system cell has been shown to protect cancer cells.

“The study has identified a defect in …

Congress Encouraged To Continue Senator Kennedy’s Legacy Of Supporting Stem Cell Research & Development – The CEO of Cryo-Cell International, a stem cell research company, has encouraged Congress to continue initiatives that Senator Kennedy strongly supported. Senator Kennedy’s legacy of supporting stem cell research and development was responsible for improving health research, human services, and well-being. Senator Kennedy strongly supported the Hematological Cancer Investment Research and Education Act of 2001. This bill increased research and education on blood cancers, including …

A new drug designed to assist in stem cell transplants will be studied in a Phase 2 clinical trial. TG-0054, created by TaiGen Biotechnology, was effective at moving stem cells from the bone marrow into the blood during the Phase 1 trial.

This drug may help patients collect enough stem cells for stem cell transplantion. Patients suffering from disorders of the blood, bone marrow, or certain cancers receive stem cells, which repopulate the depleted bone marrow with new, healthy blood …

A recent study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases evaluates the infection risk presented by different multiple myeloma therapies. The authors conclude that while current therapies, particularly high-dose regimens and novel agents, improve the outcomes of patients with myeloma, they also introduce a much greater risk of infection.

Myeloma impairs the quality and quantity of immune system proteins that an individual produces. As a result, more than 75 percent of myeloma patients will experience marked immune system depression, becoming vulnerable to …

Doctors have several different techniques at their disposal for diagnosing multiple myeloma and detecting bone disease. A new study, “Role of radiography, MRI and FDG-PET/CT in diagnosing, staging and therapeutical evaluation of patients with multiple myeloma,” suggests newer imaging techniques are better for diagnosis than traditional X-rays. The study, published September 18 in Annals of Hematology, examined several different imaging methods.

Reinier Raymakers, a coauthor of the study, noted better diagnosis techniques could lead to earlier treatment.

“You can prevent …

A recent study titled “Balloon kyphoplasty in malignant spinal fractures,” found that balloon kyphoplasty is a safe and effective procedure for multiple myeloma patients and other cancer patients with spinal fractures. The study was published in BMC Palliative Care on September 9.

Balloon kyphoplasty involves inserting an inflatable balloon into the fractured vertebra of the spinal column. The balloon is then filled with bone cement to return the vertebra to its correct position. Afterwards, patients typically have reduced pain and …