Articles tagged with: Clinical Trial
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Dr. Kenneth Anderson, a world-renowned myeloma specialist, physician and researcher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Kraft Family Professor at Harvard Medical School, spoke with The Myeloma Beacon about his approach to treating multiple myeloma patients.
This article is the second part of a two-part series based on The Myeloma Beacon’s interview with Dr. Anderson. It will cover Dr. Anderson’s thoughts on where myeloma treatment is headed in the coming years. For more information on Dr. Anderson’s current approach to treating multiple myeloma, please see part one of this series.
Emerging Therapies …
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Results of a recent French study show that multiple myeloma patients with the chromosomal abnormality t(4;14) have a high response rate after stem cell transplantation, but continue to have poor overall survival and short remission times.
Compared to conventional chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation helped the patients with t(4;14) achieve higher-quality responses. However, most patients continued to experience quick and aggressive relapses after stem cell transplantation.
The study authors indicated the need for investigation into consolidation and maintenance strategies that would slow down the rapidity and severity of relapses after remission.
Approximately 15 …
Opinion»
Adults with cancer enter clinical trials at a dismal rate of 3 percent or less, with even lower participation among minority populations. To improve this absurdly low number it is time that we look at this life-and-death decision from a patient’s perspective, a viewpoint that is rarely considered in trial design.
Cancer patients know they have a potentially terminal illness, have often failed first and second therapies, and are desperate for better treatment of their disease. Why wouldn’t they be clamoring to join trials in large numbers? Assuming they meet inclusion criteria, …
News»
GlaxoSmithKline has announced that it is halting all further development of its proprietary formulation of resveratrol known as SRT501.
A key factor in this decision, according to the company, was that it no longer feels the drug offers an adequate efficacy / safety trade-off as a potential treatment for multiple myeloma.
Earlier this year, Glaxo suspended its Phase 2 trial of SRT501 in multiple myeloma because several patients in the trial developed kidney failure.
At the time, it was unclear if the kidney failure cases were due …
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NCI Initiates Study Of Novel Imaging Techniques To Identify Precursor Stages Of Myeloma – The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is recruiting patients for a study investigating the use of sensitive imaging technologies to identify progression of myeloma precursor diseases. There are currently no diagnostic tests available to determine whether an individual with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or smoldering multiple myeloma will develop multiple myeloma. New and improved imaging techniques may help physicians better detect the progression of these precursor diseases. This trial is recruiting participants with MGUS, smoldering myeloma, or myeloma. For more information, see the clinical trial description. To participate in the trial, please contact the research nurse, Mary Ann Yancey, at (301) 435-9227 or .
Phase 2 Trials Of IPH 2101 Are Recruiting Myeloma And Smoldering Myeloma Patients – Several Phase 2 clinical trials are now recruiting multiple myeloma and smoldering multiple myeloma patients to receive the experimental agent IPH 2101 (anti-KIR). IPH 2101 is an antibody drug being developed by Innate Pharma. It helps activate cells of the immune system to destroy cancer cells. IPH 2101 is being studied in patients with smoldering myeloma to see if it delays and/or prevents progression to multiple myeloma (trial description). It is also being studied in multiple myeloma patients in stable partial response after a first line therapy (trial description) and in combination with Revlimid (lenalidomide) in myeloma patients experiencing their first relapse (trial description). To participate in the smoldering myeloma trial at the National Institutes of Health, please contact the research nurse, Mary Ann Yancey, at (301) 435-9227 or .
Phase 3 Double Transplant Trial Is Currently Recruiting Myeloma Patients – Myeloma patients are now being recruited by the Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey to participate in a Phase 3 trial of tandem stem cell transplants with melphalan (Alkeran) followed by melphalan and Velcade (bortezomib). The purpose of this trial is to determine if the addition of Velcade to the second transplant will increase remission times. For more information, please see the clinical trial description.
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Vaxil BioTherapeutics Initiates Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Of ImMucin - Vaxil Biotherapeutics, a vaccine development company, has begun recruiting multiple myeloma patients for a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for its therapeutic vaccine ImMucin. Patients in the clinical trial will receive between six and twelve injections of ImMucin over three to six months. Researchers will follow up with patients for an additional six months. The clinical trial, which will evaluate the safety of ImMucin, will be held in Israel, where Vaxil is based. For more information, please see the Vaxil BioTherapeutics press release and the clinical trial description.
Senesco Plans Phase 1/2 Study Of SNS01-T – Senesco Technologies, a biotechnology company, announced plans to file by the end of 2010 for approval of a Phase 1a/2b study of SNS01-T in multiple myeloma patients. SNS01-T has shown promising results pre-clinical studies involving mice. If approved, the trial will begin in the first half of 2011. For more information, please see the Senesco press release.
International Society Of Hematology Congress – The International Society of Hematology will hold its 33rd annual congress in Jerusalem between October 10 and 13. Hematologists from around the world will gather to discuss the latest research, therapies, and tools available in the field. For more information, please see the Hematology Congress 2010 website.
Clinical Insights Educational Program – Dr. Robert Orlowski of the MD Anderson Cancer Center will be chairing an educational program in Houston on October 15. The program will feature seminars by some of the leading myeloma researchers, including Drs. Kenneth Anderson, Sagar Lonial, William Bensinger, Nikhil Munshi, and Irene Ghobrial. Seminar topics include front-line therapy, stem cell transplant, relapsed/refractory disease, supportive care, and clinical trials. The program will close with a question and answer panel by the faculty. For more information, please see the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation website.
For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
NewsFlash »
Amgen Recalls Anemia Drugs Epogen And Procrit – On Friday, Amgen recalled certain lots of Epogen and Procrit (epoetin alfa), which are used to treat anemia (low red blood cell counts). Procrit is manufactured by Amgen but sold by Johnson & Johnson. The recalled lots may contain barely visible glass flakes that could cause blood clots, swelling of veins, and immune reactions. There have not yet been any reports of negative side effects directly tied to the glass flakes, which result over time from an interaction between the drug and the glass container. To prevent this problem, Amgen will reduce the shelf life of Epogen from 36 months to 12 months for single-dose vials and 15 months for multi-dose vials. Additionally, the company will begin using glass vials that do not interact with the drug during the shelf life of the product. For more information or the specific lot numbers, please see the Amgen website.
Biotest Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase 1/2 Trial Of BT-062 For Multiple Myeloma – Biotest Pharmaceuticals has started recruiting patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma for a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of BT-062. This initial trial will focus on determining BT-062’s safety, anti-tumor activity, and dosage limits. BT-062 is a toxic drug bound to an antibody that helps deliver the treatment to cancer cells. For more information, please see the clinical trial description and the Biotest website.
Cylene Initiates Phase 1 Trial of CX-4945 For Multiple Myeloma – Cylene Pharmaceuticals has started recruiting patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma for a Phase 1 clinical trial of CX-4945. The Phase 1 study is designed to test CX-4945’s safety, tolerability, and dosage limits. CX-4945 is an oral CK2 inhibitor, a class of drugs that causes cell death in cancerous cells. A separate Phase 1 trial will also be conducted to determine the use of CX-4945 for the treatment of solid tumors. For more information, please see the Cylene press release and the clinical trial description.
Minnesota Cancer Researchers Receive $26 Million To Study Stem Cell Therapies – Dr. Philip McGlave and Dr. Jeffrey Miller, researchers at the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Cancer Center, will receive $26 million from the National Institutes of Health to continue their study of stem cell therapies used to treat blood and bone cancers, among other disorders. Dr. McGlave’s research will focus on improving stem cell transplants and cell-based treatments, while Dr. Miller will continue research on the immune system to reduce the rate of relapse of leukemia after stem cell transplantation. They will also collaborate with blood and bone marrow experts at cancer centers throughout the country. For more information, please see the University of Minnesota press release.
Signal Genetics And Array BioPharma Partner To Advance Personalized Medicine In Multiple Myeloma – Signal Genetics, a predictive genetic testing company focused on oncology, recently announced the company will work with Array BioPharma to identify patients for treatment using genetic markers. Signal Genetics’ genomic testing instrument, MyPRS, will be used to provide Array BioPharma with genetic information during clinical trials for its multiple myeloma drug candidate, ARRY-520 (filanesib). This collaboration may lead to the development of personalized treatment options for myeloma patients based on genetic markers. For more information, please see the Signal Genetics press release (pdf) and the Array BioPharma website.
