A recent study titled “Balloon kyphoplasty in malignant spinal fractures,” found that balloon kyphoplasty is a safe and effective procedure for multiple myeloma patients and other cancer patients with spinal fractures. The study was published in BMC Palliative Care on September 9.

Balloon kyphoplasty involves inserting an inflatable balloon into the fractured vertebra of the spinal column. The balloon is then filled with bone cement to return the vertebra to its correct position. Afterwards, patients typically have reduced pain and …

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced a massive fall vaccination campaign against both the seasonal influenza virus and the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. Patients with multiple myeloma are recommended to receive both flu shots, in addition to a vaccine for pneumonia for influenza-related complications. The flu shots may be administered simultaneously at different injection sites on the body.

The H1N1 flu, which was initially referred to as swine flu, is responsible for thousands of hospitalizations and more …

The latest research shows that resveratrol, one of the major active compounds in red wine, may effectively kill myeloma cells. But while drinking red wine has been proven to lower the risk of some cancers, the effects of red wine have not been studied in relation to multiple myeloma. The next step for resveratrol–clinical trials–has just begun.

Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol, which is a plant compound that has anti-oxidant properties. Grape skins have high concentrations of resveratrol, which …

This weekend, conferences about multiple myeloma will be held in Hawaii, Canada, Greece, and Arizona. The conferences in Hawaii and Canada are more patient-focused and have question and answer sessions. The conferences in Greece and Arizona are targeted towards oncologists and health care professionals, providing certificates of attendance for career development.

Registration is free for the workshop in Hawaii; however, the conferences in Canada, Greece, and Arizona have registration fees.

Hawaii Regional Community Workshop
September 11, 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii …

On September 2, Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company reported that the company’s supplemental new drug application (sNDA) has been accepted for review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The acceptance is based on the long-term overall survival data from the VISTA Phase 3 clinical trial that examined the use of Velcade (bortezomib) for treatment of previously-untreated multiple myeloma.

The VISTA trial compared a drug regimen of Velcade, melphalan (Alkeran), and prednisone with a drug regimen …

The Journal of Clinical Oncology has reported that a combination regimen of Actimid (pomalidomide) and low-dose dexamethasone (Decadron) in a Phase 2 clinical trial was highly effective in the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients.

Actimid belongs to a class of therapeutic agents called immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), which are molecular analogs of thalidomide (Thalomid). Thalidomide acts on myeloma tumors by inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels. In addition to this mechanism, IMiDs prevent the …

In a series of basic science experiments, researchers discovered a protein, GRP-78, that is responsible for resistance to Velcade (bortezomib) treatment in some solid tumor cancers. The study was published in the journal Blood last Thursday.

Perhaps one reason why Velcade is especially effective in treating multiple myeloma is because myeloma cells do not secrete GRP-78. Nevertheless, some people with multiple myeloma are resistant to Velcade treatment. This research, besides finding important knowledge about a variety of cancers that …