The results of a recent French Phase 2 study investigating two Pomalyst (poma­lido­mide) dosing schedules have been published.

The response, survival, and safety data from the study are in line with the results of other Pomalyst trials that have been made public over the past year or two.

In particular, the trial results indicate that the combination of Pomalyst plus low-dose dexamethasone is effective in multiple myeloma patients who have re­lapsed from, or are resistant to treatment with, Revlimid and Velcade.

Based on the data from this study and as …

Results from a small Italian Phase 2 clinical trial indicate that Velcade plus dexamethasone, followed by donor lymphocyte infusions, may be an important treatment option for patients who relapse after donor stem cell transplantation.

The findings show that almost two-thirds of the patients responded to the Velcade (bortezomib)-dexamethasone (Decadron) combination, and that donor lymphocyte infusions deepened the responses achieved with Velcade-dexamethasone.

The study investigators also note that side effects associated with the treatment were manageable and expected, considering the high likelihood of these patients developing transplant-related complications.

The Italian study …

The results of a recent retrospective analysis show that long-term treat­ment with the combination of Revlimid, clarithromycin (Biaxin), and dexa­methasone – commonly abbreviated "BiRd" – is effective and safe in newly diagnosed myeloma patients.

Furthermore, the study did not find any significant association between long-term Revlimid (lenalidomide) therapy and an increased risk of developing secondary cancers.

“We did expect these results. It was our sense from following patients who have been treated with lena­lido­mide [Revlimid] long-term and have not received any genotoxic therapy that we did not see increased rates of second primary malignancies,” said …

Results from a Phase 1 study indicate that tabalumab in combination with Velcade demonstrates both efficacy and safety in myeloma patients who have relapsed after several previous therapies.

Dr. Nooper Raje from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston presented the results of the study at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting earlier this month. She explained that tabalumab was very promising in this particular patient population, and added that “this was a very well tolerated regimen.”

However, Dr. Raje emphasized that further study of tabalumab at higher doses and in combination …

ARRY-520 is one of several potential new anti-myeloma agents that was highlighted at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting earlier this week.

Initial results from two clinical trials show promise for ARRY-520 (filanesib), alone or in com­bi­na­tion with other myeloma drugs, as a thera­peutic option for heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients.

“ARRY-520 shows promising activity in com­bi­na­tion with dexa­meth­a­sone in heavily pretreated myeloma patients,” said Dr. Jatin Shah, from the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and lead investigator of both studies.

Based on their findings, the study investigators …

Results from a small, retrospective study indicate that combination therapy with Velcade, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone may be effective in newly diagnosed myeloma patients with kidney damage.

The findings, discussed in a letter to the editor of the European Journal of Haematology, show that kidney impairment did not worsen in any patients who received the three-drug treatment.

The study investigators also note that side effects were manageable, but recommend further research of the three-drug therapy to determine its safety as a long-term treatment option.

Kidney impairment is a common myeloma-related complication. It is …

Results from a retrospective Canadian study indicate that combination therapy with Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone is effective for certain heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients. The findings show that nearly 50 percent of patients with advanced myeloma respond to the three-drug therapy.

The study investigators point out that although most patients with advanced myeloma progress quickly after therapy with Revlimid (lenalidomide), Velcade (bortezomib), and dexamethasone (Decadron), particularly those with high-risk myeloma, some patients experience a “considerable benefit.”

They also note that side effects in this heavily pretreated patient population are …