A statistical analysis of two Phase 3 trials found relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients who achieved complete remission and very good partial response to Revlimid and dexamethasone combination treatment had higher overall survival rates and longer times to disease progression compared to patients who only achieved partial response.

The analysis also showed that patients’ response to Revlimid and dexamethasone improved over time with continuous treatment.

The authors of the analysis therefore suggested continuing treatment in patients who achieved partial response as long as possible to achieve best outcome.

They added that …

Treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients with a combination of cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), Velcade (bortezomib), and dexamethasone (Decadron) (abbreviated CyBorD) appears to be effective and safe. The findings were presented June 5 in a poster session at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting.

The study compared CyBorD with Revlimid (lenalidomide)-dexamethasone treatment (abbreviated RD) and cyclophosphamide-Revlimid-dexamethasone treatment (abbreviated CRD). The results of the Phase 2 trials indicate that RD and CyBorD treatment were similar in efficacy and safety. CRD, however, was not as effective and had …

This article describes a myeloma patient’s experience participating in a clinical trial. It is part of a series of articles intended to help clarify the clinical trial process.

In August 2008, Phil Brabbs was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma, which most physicians do not treat until symptoms begin and the disease progresses to multiple myeloma. After more than a year of physicians carefully reviewing his blood work, Phil’s smoldering myeloma progressed to multiple myeloma, and his physicians wanted to begin treatment.

Phil’s doctor suggested that he participate in a clinical trial that would …

Results of two Phase 1b clinical trials suggest that panobinostat (Farydak) in combination with Velcade (bortezomib) or Revlimid (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone (Decadron) is effective and well-tolerated in patients who are resistant (refractory) to previous multiple myeloma treatment. The findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago in early June.

“There are novel therapies that have improved the outcome, literally doubled the survival, of patients with myeloma. Despite these incredible advances, inevitably most patients relapse, and so …

Preliminary re­­sults from two on­go­ing clin­i­cal trials sug­gest that elotuzumab in com­bi­na­tion with either Velcade (bor­tez­o­mib) or Revlimid (lena­lido­mide) plus low-dose dexamethasone (Decadron) is ef­fec­tive and well-tolerated in patients who have re­lapsed or are resistant (refractory) to pre­vi­ous myeloma treat­ment. The findings were pre­sented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago.

Elotuzumab is a new drug being devel­oped by Facet Biotech and Bristol-Myers Squibb as a po­ten­tial treat­ment for mul­ti­ple myeloma. It sel­ectively targets pro­teins that are on the surface of …

This article describes a myeloma patient’s experience participating in a clinical trial. It is part of a series of articles intended to help clarify the clinical trial process.

Don was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2004. At the age of 69 and despite living with a cancer that attacks his bones, Don inspires fellow myeloma patients by running in marathons. He has completed three marathons so far this year, is running in one tomorrow, and plans on participating in three to four more marathons just this year. Additionally, Don maintains a blog …

Significant advances have been made in the treatment of multiple myeloma since the introduction of thalidomide (Thalomid), Revlimid (lenalidomide), and Velcade (bortezomib). Combinations of these “novel agents” have significantly improved response rates and survival rates with better safety profiles than stem cell transplants, leading researchers and patients to ask whether the use of transplants is necessary given the efficacy of the novel agents.

Two studies that are investigating whether novel agents are as effective, or possibly more effective, than an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) were presented June …