Researchers Observe High Rate Of Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw In Myeloma Patients After Stem Cell Transplantation – In a recent retrospective study, German researchers observed a high rate of osteonecrosis of the jaw (23 percent) in multiple myeloma patients who had a stem cell transplant prior to bisphosphonate therapy. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a condition that is associated with a loss of blood supply to the jaw, causing the jawbone tissue to die. It can occur in multiple myeloma patients during bisphosphonate treatment. The researchers found that the risk for bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw was significantly higher for patients with rheumatism and recent dental work. In addition, the researchers found that higher rates of osteonecrosis of the jaw were associated with the duration of bisphosphonate therapy as well as the type and cumulative dose of bisphosphonate used. For more information, please see the study in the journal Onkologie ^[1] (abstract).

Study Finds Late Relapses After Donor Transplantation In Myeloma – Results of a small, long-term follow-up study show that late relapses are possible in multiple myeloma patients after donor stem cell transplantation with reduced-intensity chemotherapy. At a median follow-up time of 9.8 years, the seven-year progression-free survival rate was 31 percent and the overall survival rate was 60 percent.  Ten percent of patients relapsed within 6 to 12 years after the transplant, which the researchers described as surprising. The researchers found that being in remission at the time of the transplant and having chronic graft-versus-host disease, a common transplant-related complication, in which the donor cells recognize the patient cells as foreign and attack them, were associated with improved overall survival. For more information, please see the study in the British Journal of Haematology ^[2] (abstract).

LLS Teleconference On Stem Cell Transplantation – On December 3, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will sponsor a free teleconference call about stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma and lymphoma.  Dr. Edward Stadtmauer from the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Jonathan Friedberg from the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester will lead the program, which begins at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.  Dr. Stadtmauer and Dr. Friedberg will speak about the role of stem cell transplantation in myeloma and lymphoma, the key research topics for stem cell transplantation, and side effect management and other quality of life issues. For more information or to register, please see the LLS ^[3] website.