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Phase 1 Clinical Trial To Study SST0001 In Advanced Multiple Myeloma Patients – The pharmaceutical company Sigma-Tau has launched a Phase 1 trial of the investigational drug SST0001 in heavily pre-treated, relapsed multiple myeloma patients. Two cancer centers – one in Italy, another in Israel – are currently participating in the trial.  SST0001 was designed to be chemically similar to the blood thinner heparin, without actually being a blood thinner.  Like heparin, SST0001 inhibits the activity of heparanase, an enzyme believed to promote the growth of myeloma cells. Preclinical studies have shown that SST0001 inhibits myeloma cell growth alone and in combination with dexamethasone (Decadron). For more information on the Phase 1 trial of SST0001, please see the clinical trial description. For more information on the results of the SST0001 preclinical study, please see the related article in the journal Clinical Cancer Research (full-text).

Anti-DKK1 Antibody May Treat Both Myeloma And Myeloma Bone Disease – Findings from a preclinical study indicate that a novel drug known as DKN-01 may help prevent myeloma bone disease while also reducing the growth of multiple myeloma cells.  DKN-01 acts against the protein DKK1, which previous research has linked to myeloma bone disease. DKK1 also may indirectly affect the growth of myeloma cells by reducing levels of a protein that prevents myeloma cells from dying.  Another anti-DKK1 drug, BHQ880, is currently being tested in clinical trials as a potential new treatment for myeloma bone disease.  In the current study, the investigators found that DKN-01 reduces the production of osteoclasts, which are cells that break down bone tissue.  Too much destruction of bone tissue is one factor that can lead to myeloma bone disease. The researchers also found evidence that DKN-01 reduces the production of myeloma cells.  However, this anti-myeloma effect appears to be indirect; the drug does not directly kill myeloma cells.  Instead, it creates an environment less hospitable to the growth of myeloma cells.  For more information, please refer to the study in the journal Bone (abstract), as well as this list of clinical trials testing the safety and efficacy of DKN-01.

Proteins VEGF And Ang-2 May Be Predictors Of Progression-Free Survival For Myeloma Patients – Results from an Indian study suggest that high levels of the proteins VEGF or Ang-2 are indicative of shorter progression-free survival (PFS) in multiple myeloma patients. Additionally, the researchers found that patients with high levels of both VEGF and Ang-2 had inferior PFS compared to all other patients, which, according to the researchers, suggests that the proteins act synergistically. VEGF, short for vascular endothelial growth factor, and Ang-2, short for Angiopoietin-2, are both cell signaling molecules that promote the formation of new blood vessels in the bone marrow. This process, known as angiogenesis, is vital for the sustained growth and proliferation of myeloma cells. According to the investigators, drugs that act as VEGF inhibitors have not been effective in multiple myeloma. However, based on their findings, they recommend that work be done on developing a myeloma treatment that inhibits both VEGF and Ang-2. For more information, please refer to the study in Leukemia Research (abstract).