Results from a Phase 1 study indicate that tabalumab in combination with Velcade demonstrates both efficacy and safety in myeloma patients who have relapsed after several previous therapies.

Dr. Nooper Raje from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston presented the results of the study at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting earlier this month. She explained that tabalumab was very promising in this particular patient population, and added that “this was a very well tolerated regimen.”

However, Dr. Raje …

Results from a Phase 1/2 study show that dinaciclib has anti-myeloma activity in relapsed multiple myeloma patients.

“The current study shows encouraging potential for the single-agent [use of dinaciclib] in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma,” said Dr. Shaji Kumar from the Mayo Clinic, who presented the results at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting last week. He added that the treatment was also “well-tolerated with toxicity that was manageable.”

However, Dr. Kumar explained that further studies are needed to …

Results from three Chinese clinical trials indicate that the investigational drug circularly permuted TRAIL may be effective alone or in combination with thalidomide in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients.

However, further testing of the drug is necessary to determine its optimal dose.

Dr. Wenming Chen from the Chaoyang Hospital of Capital Medical University in Beijing presented the findings from the three studies last week at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in Atlanta.

Circularly Permuted TRAIL (CPT) …

Results from a recent retrospective study indicate that multiple myeloma patients who receive stem cell transplants may be at greater risk than the general population of developing atrial fibrillation, the most common type of irregular heartbeat.

The researchers also found that myeloma patients with kidney failure, heart failure, or high blood pressure were at the greatest risk of developing atrial fibrillation after a stem cell transplant.

The researchers suggest that selecting appropriate patients for stem cell transplantation, correcting risk factors, …

Findings from a recent retrospective study indicate that a second autologous stem cell transplant may be an effective and safe salvage therapy for certain relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients.

In particular, the researchers found that the second stem cell transplant was particularly effective for patients who did not progress for at least 12 months following the first stem cell transplant.

For patients who relapse more quickly, the researchers recommend salvage therapy with novel agents, such as Velcade (bortezomib), …

Results from an Italian Phase 1/2 trial show that a combination therapy consisting of lower doses of Velcade, melphalan, and prednisone may be an effective and safe salvage therapy for older multiple myeloma patients.

Over half of the patients in the trial responded to the treatment, and according to the study investigators, the treatment was well tolerated, making it a viable treatment option for older myeloma patients.

In Europe, the combination treatment of Velcade (bortezomib), melphalan (Alkeran), and …

Researchers from the United Kingdom recently published a review in which they assess the role of kidney transplantation in multiple myeloma.

The authors conclude that, for certain multiple myeloma patients with kidney damage, kidney transplants should be considered more frequently than currently is the case.

Specifically, the researchers identify younger myeloma patients with end-stage kidney disease who require dialysis as the best candidates for a kidney transplant.

They point out that major improvements have been made in the treatment of …