Myeloma Experts From The John Theurer Cancer Center To Field Questions At The Beacon Forums Next Week – During the week of May 23 through 27, multiple myeloma patients and caregivers will have the opportunity to get expert answers to their myeloma-related questions.  Myeloma experts Dr. David Siegel and Dr. David Vesole from the John Theurer Cancer Center ^[1] in Hackensack, NJ, will answer medical questions posted to the Beacon’s multiple myeloma forums ^[2] throughout the week.  Research at the John Theurer Cancer Center was instrumental in getting Velcade ^[3] (bortezomib) approved to treat myeloma.  The center is currently conducting studies on carfilzomib ^[4] and pomalidomide ^[5] and was also involved with the myeloma genome sequencing project that was published earlier this year.  Beacon readers are encouraged to begin posting their questions in the forums.

Acetylon And LLS Partner To Develop ACY-1215 For Multiple Myeloma – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) recently partnered with Acetylon Pharmaceuticals to support a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of Acetylon’s drug candidate ACY-1215 for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.  ACY-1215 is an HDAC inhibitor like myeloma drug candidates Zolinza ^[6] (vorinostat) and panobinostat ^[7].  However, ACY-1215 is intended to be more selective than other HDAC inhibitors, meaning that it may have higher efficacy and fewer side effects. The Phase 1/2 study will investigate the safety and efficacy of ACY-1215 alone and in combination with Velcade and dexamethasone ^[8] (Decadron).  Under the agreement, the LLS will provide up to $4.85 million to cover half of the projected costs of the clinical trial.  For more information, please see the Acetylon ^[9] press release or the clinical trial ^[10] description.

MMRF Laugh For Life Raises Money for Myeloma Research – The 9^th annual Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Laugh for Life comedy event held on Monday raised over $620,000.  The money will be used to support the development of new treatments for multiple myeloma.  Cat Greenleaf served as Master of Ceremonies, and comedians John Pinette and Sherry Davey performed.  Additionally, Geraldine Ferraro, who passed away from complications of myeloma in March, was honored with the MMRF Spirit of Hope Award at the event.  For more information, see the MMRF ^[11] press release.