During a recent study, researchers sequenced the genomes of 38 multiple myeloma patients and identified a number of genetic mutations that may contribute to the onset of multiple myeloma.  These findings may help researchers develop improved therapies for myeloma.

Scientists from 21 of the leading research institutes in the United States and Canada contributed to this new genome study that will be published on Thursday in the journal Nature.

The study is important because “it gives insight into the biology …

This article is the fourth in a five-part series about emerging vaccines for multiple myeloma. It focuses on ongoing myeloma vaccine research.  The first article in the series provides an introduction to the of a myeloma vaccine, the second article provides an introduction to the various types of myeloma vaccines that are currently under development, and the third article describes vaccines for which clinical trials have been completed.  The fifth article tells the story of a …

This article is the third in a five-part series about emerging vaccines for multiple myeloma. It describes vaccines for which clinical trials have been completed. The first article in the series provides an introduction to the concept of a myeloma vaccine, and the second article provides an introduction to the various types of myeloma vaccines that are currently under development. The fourth article focuses on ongoing vaccine research, and the fifth article tells the story of …

The number of stem cells harvested from multiple myeloma patients during the first day of collection predicts the success of the entire collection procedure, according to a recent study.  Those patients with higher stem cell counts on the first day of collection are more likely to collect enough stem cells for transplantation.

The authors of the study suggested that patients with very low counts of blood forming stem cells on day one of collection should be treated with Mozobil …

This article is the second in a five-part series about emerging vaccines for multiple myeloma.  It provides an introduction to the various types of vaccines that are currently under development for myeloma.  The first article in the series provided an introduction to the concept of a myeloma vaccine. The third article describes vaccines for which clinical trials have been completed, the fourth article focuses on ongoing vaccine research, and the fifth article tells the story of …

This article is the first in a five-part series about emerging vaccines for multiple myeloma.  It provides an introduction to the concept of a myeloma vaccine.  The second article provides an introduction to the various types of vaccines that are currently under development for myeloma, the third article describes vaccines for which clinical trials have been completed, the fourth article focuses on ongoing vaccine research, and the fifth article tells the story of a patient who …

The results of a recent Japanese study suggest that a vincristine-doxorubicin-dexamethasone regimen without intermittent high-dose dexamethasone reduces the risk of bacterial infection in multiple myeloma patients without affecting the treatment’s efficacy. 

Based on these findings, the study authors recommended avoiding the administration of intermittent high-dose dexamethasone with the vincristine-doxorubicin-dexamethasone regimen in myeloma patients at high risk for infection. 

The combination treatment of vincristine (Oncovin), doxorubicin (Adriamycin), and dexamethasone (Decadron) plus high-dose pulses of dexamethasone (referred to as …