Carfilzomib, a new drug similar to Velcade (bor­tez­o­mib), has been shown to be effective against multiple myeloma in re­lapsed and refractory patients.

Like Velcade, car­filz­o­mib (also called PR-171) is a proteasome inhibitor that blocks the activity of proteasomes, cellular complexes that break down proteins.  Without proteasome activity, it is believed that cells self-induce death (apoptosis), thereby inhibiting tumor growth.

A Phase I study shows that car­filz­o­mib ther­apy results in greater than 80% proteasome inhibition.  Two ongoing Phase II studies have dem­onstrated …

A study in Italy found that long-term exposure to benzene and other industrial solvents may increase the risk of developing multiple myeloma. The highest risk for myeloma was found in patients with 15 or more years of benzene exposure.

Benzene, a known carcinogen, enters the body through the skin, lungs, or digestive tract.  This industrial solvent is currently used in the manufacture of dyes, synthetic rubber, plastic, and drugs.

Researchers pooled data between 1991 and 1993 from …

Twin Cities Myeloma Foundation Hosts Educational Seminar And Holiday Lunch – On December 13 in Bloomington, MN, Morie Gertz, MD, chair of the Mayo transplant protocol for multiple myeloma, will present new developments from the American Society of Hematology conference.  Helen Healy, ND, will discuss the importance of nutrition and naturopathy in healing.  For more information, visit Minnesota Myeloma.

TNT Seeking Volunteers To Support Research Through Marathon Training - Each year, TNT (Team In Training) …

A recent study links greater height, but not obesity and abdominal fat, to the occurrence of multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in women.

Researchers under the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) assessed the physical proportions of 371,983 cancer-free individuals. Over 8.5 years, 1,219 of those individuals were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma (610 women and 609 men).

The investigators estimated the impact of height, obesity (weight, body mass index), and abdominal fat …