Articles tagged with: Curcumin
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Hybrid Drugs Based On Thalidomide And Curcumin May Be A Future Treatment Option For Myeloma Patients – Results from a recent preclinical study indicate that hybrid molecules combining chemical structures from thalidomide (Thalomid) and curcumin may be potential treatments for multiple myeloma. Specifically, the investigators found that two particular hybrid molecules were effective in killing myeloma cells and were safer than either drug alone. Curcumin is the major active compound in turmeric, a popular Indian spice. Several early-stage studies have investigated curcumin's potential as a myeloma treatment (see related Beacon news articles). According to the researchers, hybrid drug therapy, which involves combining elements from two or more drugs into one molecule, is a promising treatment option for myeloma because it may be be safer and associated with a reduced risk of developing drug resistance. For more information, please refer to the study in the journal Organic and Bimolecular Chemistry (abstract).
Tandem Autologous Stem Cell Transplants May Not Cause Serious Heart Problems – Results from a small, retrospective Slovenian study suggest that two back-to-back, or tandem, autologous stem cell transplants (using the patient’s own cells) may not cause serious heart problems in the long-term. The study included 12 patients, each of whom received cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) for stem cell mobilization, and then high-dose chemotherapy with melphalan (Alkeran) prior to each transplant. None of the patients developed critical heart issues six years after their tandem transplant. However, the researchers did detect some signs of heart damage in the more detailed tests they carried out. Thus, the authors recommend long-term follow-up studies with tandem transplant patients, in part because of the increasing life expectancy of myeloma patients. For more information, please see the study in journal Radiology and Oncology (full-text).
Methotrexate-Cytarabine Combination May Be Useful For Stem Cell Remobilization – Results from a small study conducted in South Korea indicate that a combination of high-dose methotrexate and cytarabine (Cytosar-U) plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) may be a useful alternative for stem cell mobilization. Cytarabine is an older chemotherapy drug which has been used in the treatment of certain leukemias and lymphomas. Methotrexate also is an older drug, which has been used in high doses as a chemotherapy agent, and in low doses to treat various autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis. The Korean study included eight patients who had previously failed to mobilize sufficient stem cells using regimens including G-CSF and conventional chemotherapy agents. Of those eight patients, all but one were able to mobilize a sufficient number of stem cells using the methotrexate-cytarabine-G-CSF combination. The researchers point out that larger studies are necessary to confirm their findings. For more information, please refer to the study in the journal Transfusion (abstract).
Donated, Virus-Specific White Blood Cells Effective For Severe Viral Infections After Donor Transplantation – Results of a recent study show that donated t-cells, a type of white blood cell, can be used to treat severe viral infections in patients who have undergone allogeneic (donor) stem cell transplantation. During the study, virus-specific t-cells were collected from individuals who were immune to certain viral infections. The donated t-cells were then used to treat a total of 50 patients who had undergone a donor stem cell transplant and then developed a severe viral infection. In 74 percent of the cases, the donated t-cell treatment led to either a partial or complete elimination of the viral infection. According to the researchers, the treatment was well tolerated; there were no infusion-related side effects, and only 4 percent of the patients developed graft-versus-host disease after the t-cell infusions. Graft-versus-host disease is a complication that arises when donor cells identify the recipient cells as foreign and attack them. For more information, please the study in the journal Blood (full text).
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Biotest AG Starts Clinical Trial Of BT-062 Combination Therapy – The German pharmaceutical company Biotest AG has begun a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of BT-062 in combination with Revlimid (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone (Decadron) in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma. BT-062 consists of a chemotherapeutic drug combined with an antibody that helps deliver the drug to myeloma and other cancer cells. BT-062 alone has demonstrated anti-myeloma activity and good tolerability in relapsed and refractory myeloma patients. Furthermore, preclinical studies have shown BT-062 to be more effective when combined with Revlimid. For more information, please see the Biotest AG press release and the clinical trial description.
Kyprolis And Oprozomib May Decrease Bone Damage In Multiple Myeloma – The results of a preclinical study suggest that Kyprolis (carfilzomib) and oprozomib may prevent bone loss in multiple myeloma. Kyprolis and oprozomib are both being developed by Onyx Pharmaceuticals, and both belong to the same class of drugs as Velcade (bortezomib), known as proteasome inhibitors. Kyprolis was approved last week by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of people with multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies (see related Beacon news). Oprozomib, which will be administered orally, is still in the early clinical development phase. In this study, researchers found that carfilzomib and oprozomib enhanced bone formation and decreased bone destruction in healthy mice. Additionally, in mice with multiple myeloma, treatment with carfilzomib or oprozomib resulted in a smaller tumor burden and prevented bone destruction. For more information, please see the study in Leukemia (abstract).
NDC May Overcome Multidrug Resistance And Prevent Doxorubicin-Induced Heart Disease In Myeloma Patients – The results of a recent preclinical study show that a doxorubicin-curcumin compound called NanoDoxCurc (NDC) may overcome resistance to doxorubicin (Adriamycin) while preventing treatment-related heart disease. Doxorubicin is a common anticancer agent that becomes less effective in cancer cells demonstrating multidrug resistance. In higher doses, doxorubicin can overcome multidrug resistance, but is also associated with heart disease. In this study, NDC-treated mice with multiple myeloma demonstrated lower tumor burdens than mice treated with doxorubicin alone. Furthermore, mice treated with NDC did not experience heart complications. The study investigators believe these findings indicate that NDC may be a safe and long-lasting cancer therapy. For more information, please see the study in Oncotarget.
BCMA Levels May Be A Disease Marker In Multiple Myeloma – In a recent study, researchers found that B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) levels in the blood are elevated in multiple myeloma patients and are associated with disease status and overall survival. BCMAs can be found on the surface of both normal and cancerous B-cells, a type of white blood cell. In the current study, BCMA levels in the blood were higher in multiple myeloma patients compared to those in healthy adults. Furthermore, patients with progressive disease demonstrated higher BCMA levels than those who were responsive to treatment. After a median follow-up time of 11 months, patients with BCMA levels above the median had shorter overall survival times than patients below the median. For more information, please see the study in the British Journal of Haematology (abstract).
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Results of a small Australian study show that patients with the myeloma precursor diseases monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and smoldering multiple myeloma experienced reduced levels of free light chains while taking curcumin.
Free light chains are proteins in the blood that are known to be linked to myeloma cell activity.
The Australian researchers also found that patients had reduced levels of bone breakdown while taking curcumin.
“A number of the patients in this study did show a free light chain response, and we suspect that curcumin should be incorporated …
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Inhibition Of MAGE-C1/CT7 Increases Sensitivity Of Myeloma Cells To Velcade – Results of a recent Brazilian study show that inhibiting the MAGE-C1/CT7 gene in myeloma cells increases their sensitivity to Velcade (bortezomib). Specifically, researchers found that Velcade decreased the number of dividing myeloma cells by 48 percent when the cells were inhibited from activating the MAGE-C1/CT7 gene; in comparison, when the cells were allowed to activate the gene, Velcade decreased the number of dividing myeloma cells by between 9 percent and 13 percent. The researchers also observed an increased frequency of programmed cell death when inhibited myeloma cells were treated with Velcade. Based on these results, the study authors concluded that the MAGE-C1/CT7 gene protects myeloma cells against the anti-cancer effects of Velcade. They speculated that targeting this gene could be a strategy for future multiple myeloma therapies. For more information, please see the article in the journal PLoS ONE.
GO-Y030 And GO-Y078 Inhibit Myeloma Cell Growth – Results of a recent Japanese study indicate that the molecules GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 suppress the growth of myeloma cells by inhibiting signaling pathways within the cells. GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 are synthetic variants of curcumin, a substance found in the Indian spice turmeric. In this study, researchers found that GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 were 7 to 12 times more effective at suppressing the growth of myeloma cells than curcumin. Moreover, GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 were 6 to 15 times more effective at inhibiting signaling pathways in myeloma cells and 14 times more effective at suppressing production of interleukin-6, a protein responsible for myeloma cell growth. Based on these results, the study authors concluded that GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 are potential candidates for future anti-myeloma therapies. For more information, please see the article in the journal Anticancer Research (abstract).
LLS Web Cast: Making Cancer Treatment Decisions – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will be hosting a web cast tomorrow at 1 p.m. EST about making cancer treatment decisions. Topics covered include questions patients should ask to make informed treatment decisions, benefits and risks of standard treatments, clinical trial design and participation, and financial considerations related to cancer treatment. Dr. Gail J. Roboz of Weill Medical College in New York and Beth Patterson of Mission Delivery in Hampton, VA will speak at the event. For more information about the event or to register, please visit the Leukemia & Lymphoma website.
Multiple Myeloma Educational Program – An educational program for multiple myeloma patients will be held on December 7 in St. Louis, MO. Multiple myeloma specialist Dr. Keith Stockerl-Goldstein will speak about treatment options for myeloma patients as well as answer patients’ questions. Multiple myeloma patient Karl V. will also speak about his experiences. Registration will begin at 6 p.m., and the program will start at 6:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by Millennium, the manufacturer of Velcade. For more information or to register, please call 1-866-508-6181.
For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
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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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This article is the second in a two-part series about nutrition for multiple myeloma patients. The first article provides an introduction to nutrition for cancer patients as well as tips for getting the right nutrition. This, the second article, describes sources and amounts of nutrients that are important for myeloma patients.
Taking nutritional supplements is common among multiple myeloma patients and other cancer patients. These supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and various plant compounds, may be important to keep the body …
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Curcumin has been garnering increased attention as a potential anticancer treatment. It is the major active compound in turmeric, a popular Indian spice made from the rhizomes, or underground stalks, of a plant in the ginger family.
In multiple myeloma and the precursor condition monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), cell culture studies and one animal study have shown that curcumin can kill cancer cells and prevent them from multiplying. The Beacon also found two early-stage clinical trials studying curcumin’s effects in people with multiple myeloma and …
