Entinostat And Treanda Enhance Each Other’s Efficacy Against Myeloma Cells – Results from a recent preclinical study show that Treanda (bendamustine) and the investigational drug entinostat (SNDX-275) enhance each other’s efficacy against multiple myeloma cells.  The two drugs, when given together, were more effective than expected based on the efficacy of either drug alone. Entinostat is an oral treatment that belongs to a family of anti-cancer drugs called HDAC inhibitors. Other HDAC inhibitors under investigation for multiple myeloma include 

Results from a recent retrospective study indicate that chromosomal ab­nor­mal­ities may be useful for predicting which smoldering myeloma patients have a higher risk of progressing to active, or symptomatic, multiple myeloma.

Specifically, researchers from the Mayo Clinic found that patients with a chromo­somal abnormality known as t(4;14) progressed to myeloma faster, and had shorter survival compared to patients with other chromo­somal abnormalities.

“This study shows that risk of progression from smoldering multiple myeloma to symptomatic multiple myeloma is affected by …

Findings from a recent analysis conducted in the United States indicate that African-American multiple myeloma patients may have a lower frequency of certain chromosomal abnormalities compared to European-American patients.

In particular, the investigators from the Mayo Clinic found that African-Americans with myeloma may have a lower rate of chromosome 14 trans­locations.

Chromosome 14 translocations are typically associated with myeloma that is more aggressive and harder-to-treat.

The Mayo researchers note that, although their results suggest that African-Americans may have myeloma which, …

Treanda May Enhance Response To Stem Cell Transplant In Myeloma Patients – Results from a Phase 1 clinical trial demonstrate the safety of adding Treanda (bendamustine) to melphalan (Alkeran) as high-dose therapy prior to stem cell transplantation.  The researchers state that the side effects of Treanda-melphalan therapy were similar to those expected from melphalan alone. Of the 25 myeloma patients included in the study, the overall response rate was 79 percent, with 38 percent achieving a stringent complete …

Every-Other-Day G-CSF Is Just As Effective As Daily G-CSF – Results from a recent Turkish study indicate that every-other-day administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is just as effective as daily administration following stem cell transplantation. Additionally, every-other-day administration was found to be safe and resulted in a significant reduction in drug costs, according to the investigators. The study included 47 patients with lymphoma or myeloma who underwent a stem cell transplant.  Half of the patients received G-CSF every day, while …

Results of a retrospective British study add to the body of research indicating that a second stem cell transplant can be effective salvage therapy for certain relapsed multiple myeloma patients.

The British researchers found that patients who achieved a long re­mis­sion after their first transplant were more likely to have a long remis­sion after their second transplant.  This finding has been seen in previ­ous research on the issue (see related Beacon news articles 1, 2, and 3). …

Results from a small Italian Phase 2 clinical trial indicate that Velcade plus dexamethasone, followed by donor lymphocyte infusions, may be an important treatment option for patients who relapse after donor stem cell transplantation.

The findings show that almost two-thirds of the patients responded to the Velcade (bortezomib)-dexamethasone (Decadron) combination, and that donor lymphocyte infusions deepened the responses achieved with Velcade-dexamethasone.

The study investigators also note that side effects associated with the treatment were manageable and expected, considering …