Beacon NewsFlashes – August 23, 2012

ALT-801 Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Is Enrolling Relapsed Or Refractory Myeloma Patients - The Florida-based biopharmaceutical company Altor Bioscience has started a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of its investigational drug ALT-801. The trial is being conducted at the University of Iowa and is recruiting myeloma patients who have had at least two previous treatment regimens. ALT-801 is a protein that triggers immune cells to attack cancer cells. The drug also is being explored as a potential treatment for melanoma and bladder cancer. For more information, see the clinical trial description and information about ALT-801 at the Altor website.
Study Supports Use Of Once-Weekly Velcade – Results from a recent retrospective Chinese study support previous findings that once-weekly Velcade (bortezomib) is similar to twice-weekly Velcade in terms of efficacy and safety. Similar results were first found in 2010 during a study of Velcade in combination with melphalan (Alkeran), prednisone, and thalidomide (Thalomid). The results from that study showed that once-weekly Velcade was as effective as twice-weekly Velcade and that patients who received Velcade once a week experienced fewer side effects, especially peripheral neuropathy (pain, tingling, or loss of sensation in the extremities), a common side effect of Velcade (see related Beacon news). The current study found that overall response rates were similar for patients treated with once-weekly (77 percent) or twice-weekly Velcade (75 percent) in combination with dexamethasone (Decadron). In addition, the median progression-free survival was similar in both groups (8 months versus 10 months, respectively). Side effects were more common among patients treated twice a week; however, the differences were not statistically significant. In particular, 31 percent of patients treated with once-weekly Velcade developed neuropathy as compared to 50 percent of patients treated with twice-weekly Velcade. For more information, please see the study in the Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (abstract).
Age And Platelet Count May Predict Ability To Collect Enough Stem Cells For Transplant – Findings from a recent study show that age and platelet count can be used to predict whether a multiple myeloma patient is likely to successfully harvest enough stem cells for a transplant. Patients older than 58 years or who had a baseline platelet count less than 161,000 cells/mm3 failed to collect enough stem cells using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to mobilize the stem cells into the blood for collection. The study investigators conclude that patients with these characteristics should not receive mobilization with G-CSF alone and that alternative methods of mobilization should be tested. For more information, please see the study in Transfusion and Apheresis Science (abstract).
Treatment-Free Intervals Improve Quality Of Life For Multiple Myeloma Patients – A recent survey of multiple myeloma patients in the United Kingdom shows that patients in their first treatment-free interval and those experiencing a longer treatment-free interval enjoy better quality of life as compared to patients in other phases of treatment. The investigators believe these results may help doctors and patients make treatment decisions, especially when considering extended treatment plans. For more information, please refer to the study in Supportive Care in Cancer (abstract).
Related Articles:
- Nelfinavir-Velcade Combination Very Active In Advanced, Velcade-Resistant Multiple Myeloma
- Adding Clarithromycin To Velcade-Based Myeloma Treatment Regimen Fails To Increase Efficacy While Markedly Increasing Side Effects
- Once-Weekly High-Dose Kyprolis Yields Deeper Responses And Longer Remissions Than Twice-Weekly Kyprolis (ASCO & EHA 2018)
- FDA Approves Once-Weekly Dosing And Revised Safety Information For Kyprolis
- Nelfinavir Shows Only Limited Success In Overcoming Revlimid Resistance In Multiple Myeloma Patients
Today is August 29 and my sister was just diagnosed with MM, she is 48 years old, naturally we are very upset. At this time her oncologist said called it "smouldering multiple myeloma",a ticking time bomb. Can anyone enlighten me...In it's early stages how long before symptoms start to show and what are they? I know that protein build in the blood would it be benefical to start looking into Homeopathic medicince to help decrease the protien build up? is that even possible?... Can you recommend a doctor that specailzes in MM.... would Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC be the best place to start, or the Dana Farber Cancer Institute? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
I am sorry to hear of your sister's diagnosis. I too was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma in Dec 2008 and didn't have to being treatment until Feb 2012. I was monitored every three months by my Myeloma specialist, Dr. Craig Hofmeister, at Ohio State University medical center. I don't know where you are located but from everything I have encountered you definitely want to see a physician that specializes in myeloma only. It is too complicated of a disease to see a general hematologist. I hope this helps
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