U.K. Agency Recommends Velcade and Thalidomide For Myeloma Patients – The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), the agency that decides which treatments will be funded for patients in England and Wales, released a final draft guidance on June 2 recommending that Velcade (bortezomib) and thalidomide (Thalomid) can be used as first-line treatments for multiple myeloma patients who are not candidates for stem cell transplants. Both drugs are currently recommended as second-line treatments. The final guidance deciding the use of Velcade and thalidomide in the U.K. is expected later this year. For more information, please see the NICE website.

15th Congress Of The European Hematology Association – As a reminder to Beacon readers, the European Hematology Association (EHA) will hold its 15th meeting from June 10 to 13 in Barcelona, Spain.  European researchers and physicians will meet to present the latest research findings about multiple myeloma and other blood disorders.  The Myeloma Beacon will also be covering the event on its website.  For more information, please visit the EHA Congress website.

MMRF Race For Research – On June 13, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) will hold a Race For Research 5K Walk/Run in New Canaan, CT, to raise awareness and funds for multiple myeloma research. Registration is scheduled for 7:30 a.m., and the race starts at 9 a.m. For more information, please see the MMRF website.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.