Onyx Pharmaceuticals announced yesterday the results of an ongoing Phase 2b trial of single-agent carfilzomib (Kyprolis) for heavily pre-treated re­lapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients. The over­all response rate after 12 cycles of single-agent car­filz­o­mib treat­ment in this trial was 24 per­cent, and the median duration of response was 7.4 months.

According to Dr. Michael Kauffman, Chief Medical Officer of Onyx Pharmaceuticals, the com­pany’s newly released results dem­onstrate the potential for car­filz­o­mib to significantly improve the outlook for re­lapsed and …

In a recent Phase 3 study, low-molecular weight heparin, warfarin, and aspirin were found to equally prevent the formation of venous blood clots in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients who received thalidomide as part of their initial treatment.

The results of this Phase 3 study were presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) meeting in Barcelona, Spain.

While the three drugs were equally effective in the prevention of blood clots, Dr. Antonio Palumbo of the University of Turin, Italy, suggested …

Revlimid Granted Approval For Multiple Myeloma In Japan – Celgene announced last week that Revlimid (lena­lido­mide) has been approved for the treat­ment of re­lapsed and re­frac­tory multiple myeloma in com­bi­na­tion with dexamethasone (Decadron) in Japan. Revlimid will be avail­able through Revmate, a pro­pri­e­tary distribution pro­gram. For more in­for­ma­tion, please read the Celgene press release.

Immunomedics Doses First Multiple Myeloma Patient With Milatuzumab-Doxorubicin Combination – Immunomedics has dosed the first patient in a Phase 1/2 study of its milatuzumab-based …

In a recent study, treatment with Zometa (zoledronic acid) increased overall and progression-free survival rates among multiple myeloma patients compared to Bonefos (clodronate). Additionally, Zometa was more effective in preventing bone loss and fractures. The results were presented June 6 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago by Dr. Gareth Morgan of the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

Bone is in a constant balance of being broken down and being replenished. A perfect …

European Medicines Agency Approves Addition Of Survival Data To Velcade Prescribing Information – On June 15, Janssen-Cilag announced that the European Medicines Agency approved the addition of data to the prescribing information for Velcade (bortezomib) showing that Velcade extends survival in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. Results of an international Phase 3 study showed that the combination therapy of Velcade, melphalan (Alkeran), and prednisone elicits significantly higher complete response and overall survival rates among patients than melphalan …

Results of a Phase 3 trial showed that the addition of thalidomide (Thalomid) to Velcade (bortezomib), melphalan (Alkeran), and prednisone (referred to as VMPT), followed by long-term treatment with Velcade and thalidomide (VT), may become the new standard of care for elderly multiple myeloma patients. The results were presented by Dr. Antonio Palumbo of the University of Turin, Italy, on June 6 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago.

Dr. Palumbo …

An ongoing Phase 2 trial of carfilzomib has dem­onstrated that car­filz­o­mib may be effective in treating re­lapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients, including patients who are resistant to or re­lapsed after Velcade (bor­tez­o­mib) treat­ment. The results were presented by Dr. Ravi Vij of Washington University in St. Louis at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago on June 5.

“Single agent car­filz­o­mib has dem­onstrated significant activity in re­lapsed/refractory myeloma,” said Dr. Vij during his presentation.

Carfilzomib, …