European researchers found that the addition of Doxil to Velcade significantly extends the time to disease progression in relapsed / refractory multiple myeloma patients, regardless of age, number of previous therapies, disease stage, and resistance to previous therapy.

However, the addition of Doxil increased the rate of side effects in all patients. Despite the increased rate of side effects, the researchers suggested that Velcade plus Doxil should be considered as an additional standard of care option for myeloma patients, especially …

The tiny room was spinning like an off-kilter gyroscope. I grabbed the sides of the chair with the hope that I would not fall off and further injure myself. The lights were interrogation-level bright as I closed my eyes to ward off an oncoming wave of nausea and a gnawing headache.  An unsettling buzzing near my left ear was growing in intensity as I realized that the point of no return was close at hand.

“Last chance. I don’t want …

Results of a small, Phase 1/2 Australian study indicate that a combination of Istodax, Velcade, and dexamethasone may be effective in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients.

According to the study authors, patients who participated in the study achieved durable responses and experienced manageable treatment-related side effects with the Istodax combination treatment.

Based on their findings, the study authors concluded that the Istodax combination treatment warrants further evaluation.

“We continue to examine this combination on a [21-day] schedule. We are …

Results of a small Turkish study indicate that laser surgery may be a viable treatment option for cancer patients who experience bisphosphonate-related bone death in their jaws.

Specifically, the study authors found that patients who received laser surgery achieved higher rates of complete healing than patients who received conventional surgery. While the results are suggestive, the study was small and the difference in the rates was not considered significant.

According to Dr. Belir Atalay of Istanbul University in Turkey and …

Last week I visited Wisconsin to attend the myeloma support group I had been a member of before moving to Florida almost three years ago.

My wife Pattie and I were members of the Wisconsin group for several years.  We became close friends with many of the members, and I have kept in touch with them.

It was exciting to return!  But it was also a bit “touch and go,” if you would excuse the pun.  At support groups, handshakes …

Results of a recent Swiss study show that multiple myeloma patients who have a high level of stem cells in the blood prior to stem cell transplantation have longer progression-free and overall survival times than patients who have fewer stem cells.

Based on these findings, the study authors recommended that physicians consider the number of stem cells in the blood of myeloma patients when determining their prognoses and developing appropriate post-transplant therapies.

“We feel that [the level of stem cells] …

Onyx Pharmaceuticals announced this morning that it has completed submission of its application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the approval of carfilzomib (Kyprolis) as a treat­ment for re­lapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.

Onyx began submitting the application in January after the FDA granted car­filz­o­mib "Fast Track" status, which expedites the review process by allowing the submission of application materials on a rolling basis.  The com­pany has requested priority review of the car­filz­o­mib application, which, if granted …