A group of international researchers analyzed the outcomes of multiple myeloma patients after they failed to respond to therapy with novel agents, such as Velcade, Revlimid, and thalidomide.

The study authors stated that the results will help physicians and patients better understand patients’ prognoses and select appropriate clinical trials.

“The study provides an estimate of the expected outcome among patients with myeloma that has stopped responding to the newly available drugs,” said Dr. Shaji Kumar from the Mayo Clinic in …

European myeloma experts recently developed guidelines for the appropriate management of side effects associated with novel agent therapy for older multiple myeloma patients. This article, Part 2 in a series, summarizes the guidelines for the management of thalidomide-related side effects. Part 1 describes the guidelines for the management of Velcade-related side effects, Part 3 summarizes the guidelines for the management of Revlimid-related side effects, and Part 4 summarizes recommendations on novel agent use in specific patient populations.

Management Of Thalidomide-Related Side …

August 27 marked the four-month anniversary of my sister Deana’s diagnosis.

Our lives are forever changed.  We are still seeking the “new normal,” although I’m sure we won’t be able to define that until Deana is in remission.  So for now, we take each day as it comes.  I wouldn’t define it as the “abnormal,” but rather, the fight: Beat The H*ll Outta Multiple Myeloma, as our slogan goes.

I spent last weekend in Pittsburgh so that I could join …

Long-term follow-up results of a European study indicate that an autologous stem cell transplant followed by a “mini” donor stem cell transplant may be more effective than one or two autologous stem cell transplants in multiple myeloma patients.

“The results show that [“mini”] donor stem cell transplantation was superior to autologous stem cell transplantation concerning relapse rates and long-term progression-free survival and overall survival,” said Dr. Gösta Gahrton of the Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden and one of the study …

Last week I shared how my wife, Pattie, and I were both experiencing a post-stem cell transplant let-down.

I am already starting to feel better about feeling better.  I wish I could say the same for Pattie.

In addition to her post-transplant hangover, I believe Pattie is also experiencing “multiple myeloma burnout.”

Pattie isn’t very open about her feelings.  So I was surprised the other night when she shared how difficult it is for her to deal with multiple myeloma …

European myeloma experts recently developed guidelines for the appropriate management of side effects associated with novel agent therapy for older multiple myeloma patients. This article, Part 1 in a series, summarizes the guidelines for the management of Velcade-related side effects. Part 2 summarizes the European experts’ guidelines for the management of thalidomide-related side effects, Part 3 summarizes the guidelines for the management of Revlimid-related side effects, and Part 4 summarizes recommendations on novel agent use in specific patient …

A friend recently commented on the difficult year I endured eight years ago when myeloma entered my world. I hesitated when I heard this. “Don’t tell me that cancer was a gift,” she said.

Myeloma was more of a puzzle than a gift. All the puzzle pieces were tossed up into the air. Myeloma called upon me to wake up and become brave in order to put myself back together.

Myeloma also added a veil of specialness to my life. I …