The results of a recent Phase 2 clinical trial suggest that siltuximab in com­bi­na­tion with dexa­metha­sone may be effective for some multiple myeloma patients resistant to prior dexa­metha­sone-containing treatments. However, siltuximab in combination with high-dose dexa­metha­sone may be associated with a high rate of serious side effects.

Dr. Peter Voorhees from the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, presented these results at the 2011 American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference in San Diego last month.

Although Dr. …

Over the past month, I have once again experienced a wide variety of multiple myeloma-related events that I have heard about over the years.

One thing is for sure:  I don’t recover from sicknesses nearly as well as I used to before my autologous stem cell transplant in July.

Three weeks ago I experienced the worst cold I have had in a decade.  I was able to fight it off in a week or so, but then I was hospitalized this …

A group of myeloma experts from the International Myeloma Working Group recently published a consensus statement on maintenance therapies for myeloma patients.

In their statement, the experts reviewed the main findings from previous clinical trials that investigated the impact of maintenance therapies containing the novel agents thalidomide (Thalomid), Revlimid (lenalidomide), and Velcade (bortezomib).

Maintenance therapy is a prolonged, and often low-dose, form of treatment given to myeloma patients after their initial therapy. The goal of maintenance therapy …

I try to make a point about not talking in my column too much about whatever symp­tom, side effect, or malady is affecting me at any particular time.

But suffice it to say that lately there has been a lot going on with me, and it has brought to the forefront that inevitable discussion about what to do next should my current treat­ment regi­men of Revlimid (lena­lido­mide) and dexamethasone (Decadron) start to fail.

I’ve discussed this prospect at …

First, I must thank all of you for your interest in my first column, “My Sister Has What?!?!?”  I was surprised and humbled to receive the news that it was one of the Beacon’s top columns for 2011.

However, the very best news of the last seven days was the news of my sister Deana’s remission.

So many friends on the multiple myeloma journey have said that you’ll never forget the day you were told you were in remission.  …

Over the course of 2011, multiple myeloma patients and caregivers graciously shared their personal experiences with myeloma in columns they wrote for The Beacon.

Some have taken a chronological approach to describing the events leading up to their diagnosis, through their treatment, and to where they are currently.  Others have written about their struggles with side effects, relapsing, and dealing with the disease emotionally.  Some have provided tips based on their own experiences, and others have told their story with …

Celgene announced this morning that it plans to submit an application for the approval of pomalidomide for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during the first quarter of 2012.

In addition, the company said that it plans to submit a similar application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) during the first half of this year.

The updated submission timeline means that pomalidomide could be approved for use in the United States and in Europe …