In a recent study, an international research team reported several new genetic mutations that may be involved in multiple myeloma. Additionally, the researchers identified genetic changes associated with disease progression.

Dr. Niccolo Bolli from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom presented the findings last month at the 17th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA).

In multiple myeloma, as with all cancers, cells develop genetic abnormalities known as “mutations.” These mutations can lead to uncontrolled growth and survival …

Upfront therapy for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients should be risk-adapted and individualized, according to Dr. Vincent Rajkumar from the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Rajkumar presented his opinions about upfront therapy for myeloma during an education session at the recent annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). During his presentation, he reviewed the induction treatment options for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients and dis­cussed his opinions of the various options.

Induction therapy refers to the initial treatment given …

Three months have passed since I left the hospital after my stem cell transplant. 

I am in a quiet and watchful time period, regrouping my energy and my brain cells for the next phase of my life. 

I have been regularly delighted by being able to return to “normal” activities such as shaving and an occasional visit to the barber. While my barber doesn’t have much work to do on my head, he is a phenomenally upbeat guy and entertains …

Follow-up results from a long-term study conducted in Italy indicate that quality of response may be the most significant predictor of long-term survival in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients receiving a stem cell transplant.

The results also showed that hemoglobin levels and platelet counts at diagnosis were independent factors predicting for long-term survival.

“[This study] confirms the importance of achieving high-quality responses not only as a surrogate marker of progression-free survival and overall survival but also for long-term overall survival,” …

I began a new practice after my birthday a few months ago. I filled a green bowl with 52 marbles. Each week I move one marble into a smaller white one. Taking a pause each week to reflect is another way to feel the texture of life – another version of “live one day at a time.”

A picture of this smaller bowl is the avatar that shows up by my comments here on The Myeloma Beacon. It is also …

Pomalidomide continues to show promise as a treatment for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients, according to updated results from two recent Phase 2 clinical trials.

Findings from the two trials were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago earlier this month.

“Pomalidomide has been tested in multiple clinical trials … and responses were between 30 percent to up to 65 percent when patients had one to three prior lines of therapy. Most interestingly, …

We have a hair dryer at home that cannot be run on its highest heat setting, otherwise it overheats in a few minutes and shuts down.  After that, you cannot turn it on again until it's cooled down sufficiently.

A lot of electronics function this way, as do nuclear plants, steam turbines, and a variety of other devices that tend to break or explode if they get too hot, spin too fast, or build up too much pressure.  In most …