Entinostat And Treanda Enhance Each Other’s Efficacy Against Myeloma Cells – Results from a recent preclinical study show that Treanda (bendamustine) and the investigational drug entinostat (SNDX-275) enhance each other’s efficacy against multiple myeloma cells.  The two drugs, when given together, were more effective than expected based on the efficacy of either drug alone. Entinostat is an oral treatment that belongs to a family of anti-cancer drugs called HDAC inhibitors. Other HDAC inhibitors under investigation for multiple myeloma include Zolinza (vorinostat) and panobinostat.  Entinostat is currently being studied in clinical trials for patients with leukemia and breast cancer.  A Phase 1 study of Entinostat in myeloma patients and other blood cancer patients was recently completed, but the results have not been published yet. Treanda is approved in the United States as a treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and certain lymphomas, and it is being investigated as a treatment for myeloma. It belongs to a class of drugs known as alkylating agents, which also includes melphalan (Alkeran) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). These drugs damage the DNA of cancer cells, triggering their death. For more information, please refer to the study in Cancer Letters (abstract).

Low Levels Of Adiponectin May Be Associated With A Higher Risk Of Developing Myeloma – Findings from a prospective study show that low levels of the protein adiponectin may be associated with a higher risk of developing multiple myeloma. Adiponectin regulates glucose levels in the blood and is found at lower levels in people who have type-2 diabetes or who are obese. The investigators of the current study compared the levels of different proteins known as adipokines in 174 myeloma patients and 348 healthy individuals. They found that myeloma patients had lower levels of adiponectin than healthy individuals. Based on their findings, the researchers recommend further study of adiponectin as a possible therapeutic target for myeloma. For more information, please see the study in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention (abstract).

Etoposide, Thiotepa, and Melphalan May Be More Effective Than Melphalan Alone – Results from a recent Israeli study show that treatment with etoposide (VP-16), thiotepa, and melphalan may be more effective than melphalan alone prior to stem cell transplantation. In particular, patients who received the three-drug combination had a longer time to progression (44 months versus 17 months) and longer overall survival (not yet reached after a median of 108 months follow-up versus 59 months) than those who received melphalan alone. However, the researchers said that based on the small number of patients included in the study, the three-drug combination appeared to be slightly more toxic than melphalan alone. The investigators still believe that the three-drug combination can be effective in certain myeloma patients receiving a stem cell transplant. Etoposide is a chemotherapy drug used as a treatment for lung and testicular cancer. Previous studies have shown that etoposide is highly effective in mobilizing stem cells. Thiotepa, like melphalan, is an alkylating agent that damages the DNA of cancer cells. For more information, please refer to the study in the journal Leukemia and Lymphoma (abstract).