At the 15th annual European Hematology Association (EHA) meeting, held June 10 to 13 in Barcelona, Spain, physicians and researchers gathered to share developments in the field of hematology, including multiple myeloma.

The research presented at the meeting covered all areas of hematology, which is the study of blood, blood-forming organs, and blood-related diseases. Due to the broad number of interests and studies, the meeting was divided into different sessions over the course of the four days, with most of the multiple myeloma sessions being held on the first three days.

On Thursday, researchers attended scientific working groups to discuss specific challenges and advances in their respective fields. The multiple myeloma scientific working group included discussions on the state of ongoing clinical trials and the use of genetic analysis for myeloma patients.

On Friday, education sessions were held primarily to allow practicing physicians an opportunity to maintain and develop professional knowledge and skills in their fields. During the multiple myeloma education session, doctors were presented with information regarding disease outcome, specialized treatment, disease complications, and unusual forms of myeloma.

Research posters were displayed in sessions on both Friday and Saturday. A total of 64 myeloma posters were presented, 28 covering the basic biology of the disease and 36 covering completed or ongoing clinical trials.

On Saturday, presentation sessions featured various hematology topics. A total of 16 myeloma presentations were given, 11 of which presented findings from ongoing and completed clinical trials. Select studies focused on thalidomide ^[1](Thalomid) as maintenance therapy and Revlimid ^[2] (lenalidomide)-melphalan ^[3] (Alkeran)-prednisone ^[4] as a treatment for older patients with newly diagnosed disease.

Of note, one presentation regarding multiple myeloma was given at the Presidential Symposium, a session highlighting abstracts considered to be among the strongest submitted to the meeting. Dr. Gareth Morgan from The Institute of Cancer Research in London presented findings showing that Zometa ^[5] (zoledronic acid), compared to Bonefos (clodronate), prolonged both survival and time to the first bone complication in newly diagnosed myeloma patients. These findings were also presented at the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2010 meeting in Chicago (related Beacon ^[6] news).

Although some of the research from leading United States and European researchers was presented at the recent ASCO meeting, many new findings were also introduced at the EHA meeting. Over the next several days, topics of particular interest from the meeting will be featured in articles on The Myeloma Beacon.

More information on the meeting, including the program itinerary, can be found on the EHA Meeting ^[7]website.