Dear friends,
My mother was diagnosed 6 months ago with multiple myeloma. The cytogenetics by Fish have shown Deletion of chromosome 17. How serious is that? Is there some way that to overcome it?
Thank you
George
Forums
4 posts
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Re: Deletion of chromosome 17
Hi George,
I am sorry to hear about your mom and hope she is getting good care right now. My father also has del 17. I am not an expert but can tell you what I have learned.
Del 17 is a chromosome abnormality that puts the multiple myeloma into a "high-risk category". THis means that the disease tends to be more aggressive; responses aren't as deep or as lasting.
There isn't a whole lot of data on how del 17 patients respond to the new "novel" medications but there are some indications that Velcade/carfilzomib may help del 17 patients.
The data on SCT outcomes for del 17 patients is also limited but what I read was not very encouraging (again, the depth of response and length of time before relapse was not positive.)
There was a French study that suggests that the percentage of del 17 chromosomes may impact prognosis (if you have a low percentage that have the del 17, the disease may less aggressive). This was encouraging but there just isn't a lot of data out there.
I would recommend reading suzierose's posts if you want to get educated on this topic. She has some very good information.
What has been your mom's multiple myeloma treatment so far? My father partially responded to Velcade/Cytox/dex, then his numbers plateaued. Tried Revlimid/Velcade, no response. Now on Carfilzomib/Cytox/thalidomide/dex. Numbers slowly coming back down.
My dad has been fighting this since 9/2011.
Best wishes to you and your mom.
I am sorry to hear about your mom and hope she is getting good care right now. My father also has del 17. I am not an expert but can tell you what I have learned.
Del 17 is a chromosome abnormality that puts the multiple myeloma into a "high-risk category". THis means that the disease tends to be more aggressive; responses aren't as deep or as lasting.
There isn't a whole lot of data on how del 17 patients respond to the new "novel" medications but there are some indications that Velcade/carfilzomib may help del 17 patients.
The data on SCT outcomes for del 17 patients is also limited but what I read was not very encouraging (again, the depth of response and length of time before relapse was not positive.)
There was a French study that suggests that the percentage of del 17 chromosomes may impact prognosis (if you have a low percentage that have the del 17, the disease may less aggressive). This was encouraging but there just isn't a lot of data out there.
I would recommend reading suzierose's posts if you want to get educated on this topic. She has some very good information.
What has been your mom's multiple myeloma treatment so far? My father partially responded to Velcade/Cytox/dex, then his numbers plateaued. Tried Revlimid/Velcade, no response. Now on Carfilzomib/Cytox/thalidomide/dex. Numbers slowly coming back down.
My dad has been fighting this since 9/2011.
Best wishes to you and your mom.
Re: Deletion of chromosome 17
Hi and thank you for asking about this important problem.
The deletion of chromosome 17 or "Del 17" is a change in the chromosomes of myeloma cells that predicts a more aggressive and resistant course of the disease. There is no treatment that clearly will overcome this finding but oncologists will tend to use more aggressive treatments including stem cell transplants in patients who can tolerate it.
The deletion of chromosome 17 or "Del 17" is a change in the chromosomes of myeloma cells that predicts a more aggressive and resistant course of the disease. There is no treatment that clearly will overcome this finding but oncologists will tend to use more aggressive treatments including stem cell transplants in patients who can tolerate it.
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Dr. Edward Libby - Name: Edward Libby, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Deletion of chromosome 17 - somewhat geeky fact
One reason offered for why deletion 13 predicts a more aggressive disease is because this deletion removes a cancer fighting gene named p53 - which is a tumor suppressor.
But our DNA encodes other tumor suppressors on other chromosomes -- which is good news.
But our DNA encodes other tumor suppressors on other chromosomes -- which is good news.
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Dan D
4 posts
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