Last week I discussed the advantages and disadvantages of a growing number of multiple myeloma therapy options.

How could there be any disadvantages to more options?  I mentioned how even oncologists and hematologists that specialize in treating multiple myeloma will only be guessing when deciding which drugs to use, when, and at what dose.

Then I suggested how with choice comes responsibility.  Responsibility for the patient and caregiver to learn as much as they can about therapy options to …

Results of a recent Italian study show that Neupogen and Neulasta are comparable in efficacy and safety for the prevention and treatment of low white blood cell counts in multiple myeloma patients receiving outpatient stem cell transplants.

However, patients who were treated with Neulasta only received one injection after the transplant, which according to the study authors may be more convenient for the patients.

“In our experience, the possibility of a single [injection] is more comfortable for patients, mainly in …

When I was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma five and a half years ago, my initial treatment consisted of induction chemotherapy with vincristine (Oncovin), doxorubicin (Adriamycin), and dexamethasone (Decadron) followed by an autologous stem cell transplant.  I had a good response to the treatment but never quite got into remission.

The course of my disease over the next few years took me through a roller coaster of treatments with Revlimid (lenalidomide), Revlimid with dexamethasone,

The Myeloma Beacon is pleased to announce an important new service offering. Starting today, visitors to the website can use the Beacon’s new “blog posting aggregator” to track postings at a wide range of multiple myeloma-related blogs. The aggregator provides excerpts from, and links to, blog postings by multiple myeloma patients, caregivers, and family members around the world.

“The Beacon’s blog posting aggregator is a convenient way for our readers to keep tabs on all the popular myeloma-related …

I finished the Chicago Marathon yesterday. I ran it to raise awareness and money for multiple myeloma, and it was an amazing experience.

First, I must acknowledge my sister, Darrie, and niece, Kate, who are the best pit crew a girl could have. They were tremendous support, especially Kate, who fixed my iPod when it froze. For a moment, I thought I would have to spend 26.2 miles alone with my thoughts.

Throughout the race, I focused on friends …

Recently, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) announced several updates and changes to its guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of multiple myeloma.

The NCCN guidelines are followed closely by physicians and by many U.S. health insurance companies, which frequently use them when making reimbursement decisions about different cancer treatments.

The guidelines are comprised of recommendations based on the results of recent clinical trials and ongoing scientific research.  A panel of specialists within the myeloma field is responsible for updating the NCCN guidelines for multiple myeloma. …

My initial reaction to the question of whether there are too many therapy choices for multiple myeloma is, “What a nice problem!”

It looks like the newest myeloma therapy, carfilzomib, will be widely available to relapsed/refractory patients soon.   Pomalidomide shouldn’t be far behind, along with a half dozen new drugs that enhance the effectiveness of Revlimid (lenalidomide) and Velcade (bortezomib).

Soon, multiple myeloma patients may be treated with four-, five-, and even six-drug combinations.

This is …