Multiple myeloma patients are at an increased risk of developing deep vein blood clots, and several myeloma treatments further increase the risk. However, blood clots can often be prevented with the use of blood thinners, according to Dr. Todd Zimmerman of the University of Chicago during a myeloma education session on June 7 at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting.

Dr. Zimmerman reported that there is a nine-fold increase of deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in …

An ongoing Phase 2 trial of carfilzomib has dem­onstrated that car­filz­o­mib may be effective in treating re­lapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients, including patients who are resistant to or re­lapsed after Velcade (bor­tez­o­mib) treat­ment. The results were presented by Dr. Ravi Vij of Washington University in St. Louis at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago on June 5.

“Single agent car­filz­o­mib has dem­onstrated significant activity in re­lapsed/refractory myeloma,” said Dr. Vij during his presentation.

Carfilzomib, …

The combination treatment of reduced-dose Velcade (bortezomib), thalidomide (Thalomid), and dexamethasone (Decadron), abbreviated vTD, appears to be a safe and effective induction treatment for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients prior to stem cell transplantation.

The combination treatment yielded higher complete and partial remission rates, and fewer and less severe side effects, than treatment with standard dose Velcade plus dexamethasone (VD).

The vTD vs. VD findings were presented by Dr. Philippe Moreau of the University Hospital in Nantes, …

Having multiple myeloma isn't simple – It's hard! Not only do you have cancer, but you also have a dizzying array of treatment options available to you. Additionally, it doesn’t just affect your health–it can affect just about all aspects of your life.

First, you and your caregiver need to decide where to go for treatment. Do you travel across state lines to a large, regional or national cancer center that specializes in treating myeloma? Or do …

Revlimid (lenalidomide) is an effective maintenance therapy after stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma patients, according to two Phase 3 studies presented on Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Based on the results of these two studies as well as a previous study, Revlimid maintenance therapy is likely to become a common addition to the treatment of myeloma.

Dr. Sergio Giralt of the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston led …

Yesterday was the fourth day of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago. Although today is the final day of the meeting, the multiple myeloma-related sessions concluded yesterday.

The day began with a meeting-wide session to review the highlights of the previous day across all cancer types. There were six presentations, and despite all of the types of cancers being discussed at the meeting, an entire presentation was devoted to myeloma.

Dr. Jean-Luc Harousseau from the …

The third day of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2010 annual meeting in Chicago was tailor-made for morn­ing people interested in mul­ti­ple myeloma.  The key myeloma-related activity on Sunday, June 6 was a morn­ing abstract session start­ing at 9:30 a.m.  Nine abstracts were pre­sented and discussed over the course of three hours.

The first two pre­sen­ta­tions dealt with Velcade (bor­tez­o­mib)-related re­search.

Dr. Antonio Palumbo of the Uni­ver­sity of Turin pre­sented the re­­sults of the first study.  It com­pared two regi­mens for …