Results May Explain Link Between Environmental Toxins And Myeloma – On August 13, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) announced that researchers at the IMF gene bank, Bank on a Cure, have identified several changes in DNA sequences that are thought to influence how the body responds to certain toxins. The findings provide a possible explanation for the connection between the environment and myeloma. For more information, see the IMF press release and the Myeloma Beacon article on the prevalence of myeloma in World Trade Center responders.

Clinical Data And CombinatoRx Announce Collaboration – On August 13, Clinical Data, Inc. and CombinatoRx, Inc. announced their collaboration, aimed at developing an adenosine A2A agonist compound that may help treat myeloma. Previous research has shown that such compounds can be effective for myeloma patients when used in combination with other drugs. Under the partnership, Clinical Data will supply the adenosine compound while CombinatoRx will develop the treatment’s clinical trials. For more information, see the Clinical Data press release (pdf).