[Perseverance]

Molecular Remissions

by Perseverance on Tue Dec 21, 2010 12:16 am

Dr. McCarthy,

I have heard mention of molecular remissions after novel induction + SCT + lenalidomide maintenance. I know that your center has been at the forefront of the lenalidomide maintenance trials. Do you use the polymerase chain reaction test that confirms mCR? Have you observed mCR in your trials? Regardless, do you anticipate that this newly explored level of tumor reduction will translate into longer PFS?

Thank you for your insightful knowledge.

[Beacon Staff]

Re: Molecular Remissions

by Beacon Staff on Tue Dec 21, 2010 1:01 pm

Hi Perseverance,

Thanks for your great questions. Dr. McCarthy was answering questions last week. However, you may find one of the ASH presentations interesting:
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/ash-2010-multiple-myeloma-discussion-day-3-t236-10.html#p861

In the study, which was presented by Dr. Terragna, molecular remission had a significant impact on progression-free survival. This was a study of patients receiving Velcade-thalidomide-dexamethasone (VTD) or thalidomide-dexamethasone (TD). Among the patients who achieved molecular remission (as detected by polymerase chain reaction), 3 year survival was 90% compared to 47% for those who did not achieve molecular remission.

[Perseverance]

Re: Molecular Remissions

by Perseverance on Thu Dec 23, 2010 2:51 pm

Beacon Staff,

Thank you for providing this wonderful community for myeloma patients to gather, find real hope, and make real friends.

I have done some more digging on the molecular remission topic and found a recent interview with Dr. Ken Anderson at the ASH 2010 meeting. Dr. Anderson explains that until now, molecular remissions were not achievable in myeloma. He said 38% of patients at the Dana Farber achieved mCR after RVD+SCT+ R maintenance.

A level of tumor reduction not previously appreciated in myeloma until now should give patients real hope.