[dad2016]

Initial multiple myeloma therapy in Ontario?

by dad2016 on Fri Sep 09, 2016 6:36 pm

As I mentioned in separate post, my father was recently diag­nosed with multiple myeloma. He lives in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

What treatment do people in his area usually start with after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma?

[TerryH]

Re: Initial multiple myeloma therapy in Ontario?

by TerryH on Sat Sep 10, 2016 9:09 am

Hello again,

I believe the "CyBorD" treatment regimen -- cyclophosphamide, Velcade (bortezomib), and dexamethasone -- is what is typically used to treat newly diagnosed myeloma patients in Ontario and much of Canada. This seems to be the case based on recent postings here in the forum, and it's certainly suggested by the results of this poll done here in the forum last year.

I checked at clinicaltrials.gov if there are any trials for newly diagnosed patients in Ontario that might be of interest to your father. Here is the list. There is one trial that combines the in­vesti­ga­tion­al drug durvulumab with Revlimid and, in some cases, dexamethasone (link to information about trial).

I don't see any other option in terms of initial therapy (i.e., not transplant-related).

If your father is not too old (under the age of 70) and he is in good health other than his multiple myeloma, I believe your father's doctors will suggest that he have an autologous stem cell transplant as part of his initial treatment.

This posting here in the forum has links to discussions on many different treatments and side effects. The posting is always pinned to the top of the Treatments & Side Effects section of the forum, and you also can find many of these links in the "Forum Discussions - View By Specific Subject" box in the forum sidebar on the right.

[KarenaD]

Re: Initial multiple myeloma therapy in Ontario?

by KarenaD on Sat Sep 10, 2016 9:57 am

Hi Dad 2016,

Terry has provided you with some good information.

In my case, I live not far from Toronto, and was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in November 2015. My treat­ment consisted of 4 induction cycles of CyBorD – cyclophosphamide, Velcade (bortezomib), dexa­metha­sone – followed by an autologous stem cell transplant in April 2016.

I achieved a complete response, and I am not currently on any maintenance therapy other than the bone strengthening drug, pamidronate (Aredia).

Best wishes to your Dad on this journey.

Karen

[dad2016]

Re: Initial multiple myeloma therapy in Ontario?

by dad2016 on Sun Sep 18, 2016 2:57 pm

Thank you Terry and Karen!

My dad has started the initial treatment you mentioned, Karen, and there have been talks about a stem cell transplant. Just trying to read as much as we can about the process.

I am glad to hear, Karen, that you were able to get a complete response!