Articles tagged with: Bone Disease
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A group of leading myeloma specialists, known as the International Myeloma Working Group, recently collaborated to develop guidelines for the proper management of bone disease in multiple myeloma. The group recommended that patients with bone disease should be treated with standard dosages of intravenous bisphosphonates. A minimally invasive procedure called kyphoplasty may also be considered to reduce bone pain and improve functional ability.
Dr. David Roodman of the University of Pittsburgh presented these findings at the International Myeloma Workshop (IMW) on May 6 in Paris.
Most multiple myeloma patients develop bone disease, …
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This year’s International Myeloma Workshop (IMW) started in Paris yesterday morning and will continue through Friday.
Yesterday’s schedule included three sessions of oral presentations and a poster session in the afternoon. The focus of the oral sessions was to present the current understanding of the biochemistry and molecular mechanisms related to multiple myeloma.
These talks were more technical than the ones that will be made later in the week, and their material will not likely have an immediate impact on how current multiple myeloma patients are treated.
In particular, yesterday’s sessions included …
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According to a recent study, the bisphosphonate Aredia reduces skeletal-related events, such as bone lesions and bone fractures, in patients with smoldering multiple myeloma; however, it does not prevent disease progression to symptomatic myeloma.
According to the study authors, these findings are consistent with the findings of previous studies that had shorter follow-up times.
Bone disease is frequently associated with multiple myeloma and can cause bone pain and fractures (see related Beacon news). While the symptoms of bone disease can be treated with radiation therapy and surgical procedures, bisphosphonates are currently …
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Results of a recent study suggest that balloon kyphoplasty provides better pain relief and more back-specific mobility one month after treatment than non-surgical care in multiple myeloma patients and other cancer patients with spinal fractures.
Based on these findings, the study authors suggested that balloon kyphoplasty be considered as an early treatment option for cancer patients with vertebral compression fractures.
One of the hallmarks of multiple myeloma is bone disease, which is noted by bone pain, bone fractures or lesions, and increased calcium levels. Myeloma bone disease often causes bone loss or …
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Bafetinib May Prevent Bone Loss For Cancer Patients – A series of preclinical studies indicate that the drug bafetinib (INNO-406) inhibits bone deterioration in cancer patients who are at high risk for bone loss, including multiple myeloma patients. Although bafetinib is being developed by CytRX for the treatment of certain types of leukemia, the latest preclinical studies showed that bafetinib also suppresses the activity of bone cells that break down bone and cause fractures, bone pain, and high blood calcium levels. Bafetinib is also being tested in ongoing clinical trials for effectiveness against prostate cancer and brain tumors. For more information, please see the CytRx Corporation press release.
Phase 2 Study Will Examine Curcumin’s Ability To Reduce Myeloma Symptoms During Maintenance Therapy – M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston will begin a Phase 2 clinical trial to determine whether curcumin, the active ingredient in the Indian spice turmeric, can reduce symptoms of myeloma for patients taking Revlimid (lenalidomide) as maintenance therapy. Researchers will assess the effects of curcumin on pain, fatigue, bone aches, numbness, and disturbed sleep. The trial, which is not yet enrolling patients, will begin in June and include approximately 70 participants. For more information, please see the United States Clinical Trials Registry.
MMRF Patient Symposium To Be Held In Los Angeles – The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) will hold a symposium for myeloma patients and their families on February 26 at Intercontinental Los Angeles Century City. After a basic introduction to multiple myeloma, leading myeloma experts will speak about managing bone disease, treatment options for myeloma patients, and clinical trials. A panel of myeloma experts will also be available to answer questions from patients and family members. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the program will conclude at 2:30 p.m. For more information or to register, please visit the MMRF website.
For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
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According to the results of a large Phase 3 clinical trial, Zometa increases overall and progression-free survival rates among multiple myeloma patients compared to Bonefos and is more effective in preventing bone loss and fractures. Additonally, the trial found that inclusion of thalidomide as part of an induction regimen further improved responses.
Dr. Gareth Morgan of the Royal Marsden Hospital in London presented the results, recently published in The Lancet (abstract), at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in Orlando today.
“I think it is incredibly compelling that the …
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced earlier today that denosumab, which will be marketed by Amgen under the brand name Xgeva, has been approved to help prevent fractures and to slow bone disease in patients with solid tumors. It was not approved at this time for use in patients with multiple myeloma.
“It wasn’t approved [for myeloma] because the Xgeva-treated subset of multiple myeloma patients had more deaths than the control arm,” said Erica Jefferson, a spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Xgeva is an antibody that prevents bone …
