Pomalidomide has demonstrated efficacy in heavily pre-treated multiple myeloma patients who have been treated with – or are even refractory to – Revlimid and Velcade.

Three studies of the use of pomalidomide (Pomalyst) in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients were presented yesterday at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting in Orlando.

Pomalidomide, which is being developed by the pharmaceutical company Celgene, is an immunomodulatory agent that induces the immune system to destroy myeloma cells. It belongs to the same class of drugs as Revlimid (lenalidomide) and thalidomide (Thalomid). …

In addition to Velcade’s anti-myeloma effects, Velcade may also enhance bone formation, according to a Korean study of two multiple myeloma patients.

Based on the findings, the study investigators suggested that Velcade (bortezomib) treatment may be beneficial in patients with destructive bone disease.

However, in correspondence with the Myeloma Beacon, Dr. Chang-Ki Min, lead author of the study noted, “I believe that the incidental findings require additional studies. For example, clinical results such as response to Velcade or skeletal-related events [in this patient population] should be investigated.”

Dr. Kristy Weber, professor …

The International Myeloma Working Group, a group of leading myeloma specialists, recently announced its recommendations for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients with kidney impairment. The group found that novel agents might improve - and possibly reverse - the complications of kidney impairment. In particular, the group recommended that patients with kidney impairment of any severity undergo treatment with Velcade plus dexamethasone, due to its safety and efficacy profile.

Diagnosis Of Kidney Impairment

Kidney impairment affects between 15 and 40 percent of multiple myeloma patients (please see the Beacon series on …

The use of single-agent Velcade as maintenance therapy does not significantly improve the response of multiple myeloma patients who fail to achieve a complete response following stem cell transplantation with their own cells, according to a recent study published in the journal Investigational New Drugs.

The researchers recommended that Velcade be used in combination with other myeloma treatments as maintenance therapy. “Velcade is indeed effective in the post-transplant setting, but it must be given as part of a combination therapy to realize the effects/benefits,” said Dr. Robert Rifkin from the Rocky Mountain …

The International Myeloma Working Group, comprised of many of the world’s top myeloma experts, recently published a report that evaluated the use of key proteins to assess the severity of multiple myeloma-related bone disease. The group determined that some of these proteins are useful in monitoring bone metabolism and skeletal complications during myeloma treatments.

The majority of multiple myeloma patients suffer from bone disease. Approximately 20 percent of patients experience a fracture at the time of their myeloma diagnosis, and 60 percent of patients experience a fracture as their myeloma progresses. These …

The results of a recent Phase 2 clinical trial indicate that the new drug Istodax, administered alone, is unlikely to achieve a significant response rate in therapy-resistant multiple myeloma patients. However, the results indicate that that Istodax may help stabilize M-protein production, resolve high calcium levels, or reduce bone pain in some multiple myeloma patients.

Istodax (romidepsin) is a cyclic peptide that inhibits an enzyme in cancer cells known as histone deacetylase (HDAC). By inhibiting HDAC, Istodax disrupts the cell cycle and causes cancer cell death. Istodax is marketed by Celgene Corporation …