[Ron Harvot]

Revlimid and Velcade Resistance Overcome

by Ron Harvot on Mon Jan 28, 2013 7:22 pm

Attached is an article that is now over a year old. Many times the multiple myeloma builds up a resistence over time to Velcade and Revlimid. This article shows promissing research and drugs that may break down the resistance thus making them effective again.

I have not heard much more on this and was wondering if any one on this board has new information.

http://www.dailyrx.com/multiple-myeloma-resistance-overcome

Ron

[tpt]

Re: Revlimid and Velcade Resistance Overcome

by tpt on Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:53 pm

My dad was somehow refractory from vel dex thalidomide after 10 cycles. His kappa stucked at around 100 after the past two cycles. He's having asct month, and to help with the stemcell mobilization, he was given high dose cyclophosphamide. His kappa went down to 85. This number was one month after the infusion. He resumes a cycle of vtd pre asct, and i'll post back the results after this one cycle. If it drops, good news for us. We may even delay the asct.

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: Revlimid and Velcade Resistance Overcome

by Eric Hofacket on Mon Jan 28, 2013 11:50 pm

I have also been on the lookout for any data on Revlimid and Velcade drug resistance. I remember reading in 2011 that a finding was published at the American Hematology Society meeting that it was discovered why Thalidomide caused birth defects, and that this find also explained why multiple myeloma cells become resistant to this drug and likely Revlimid as well. This could lead to drugs that would help overcome this resistance. I have not seen anything on Velcade resistance until I saw the link you posted above. I hope progress made in this area and maybe these drugs can me made effective enough to keep myeloma in remission indefinitely as long as the they are taken.

[Twi]

Re: Revlimid and Velcade Resistance Overcome

by Twi on Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:38 pm

My Mom's multiple myeloma became resistant to at least low and lowering doses of Rev/dex... she could not tolerate higher doses, but they may have still worked for her like they did (that was her first multiple myeloma treatment, but only 12 days of the standard dose).

She went on weekly subcu Velcade with IV push of dex - and did not respond AT ALL, in fact, her multiple myeloma got worse while on this regimen for 7 weeks. It was so bad,her serum FLC and calcium went high and she became anemic, requiring weekly IV fluids to keep kidneys going and blood transfusions as well.

Her oncologist did not have any specific information to give us on why her multiple myeloma did not respond to Velcade/dex at all.... anyone have any ideas?

[Ron Harvot]

Re: Revlimid and Velcade Resistance Overcome

by Ron Harvot on Wed Feb 06, 2013 5:47 pm

Twi,

I don't know if anyone has an answer to that. I assume that she had never been on Velcade before. If that is the case, she may have a form of multiple myeloma that just does not respond to Velcade.
That is not unusual. There are other options she can explore with her oncologist, so don't despair.

If he is out of ideas, or you are not satisifed with the care she is receiving, then you should go to a larger center that specializes in multiple myeloma for another opinion.

Ron