Today concludes this year’s American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, which began on Friday in Chicago.  However, yesterday was the last day with any multiple myeloma-related sessions.

During yesterday’s poster session, important new research findings were summarized on posters throughout a large conference hall.

The studies were on a wide variety of myeloma-related topics ranging from new treatments being developed for myeloma, to currently used regimens, to secondary cancers, to precursor myeloma diseases, and much more.

This update covers some of the myeloma-related studies presented during the poster session, in …

It seems that one of the most common (and reviled) topics in the Beacon's columns and forums is dexa­meth­a­sone and its side effects.

For most of the 15 cycles I've been receiving treat­ment, I haven't had much in the way of side effects related to the dexamethasone (Decadron).  I certainly haven't experienced some of the significant issues that a lot of others have.

Recently however, the effects have been getting more noticeable.

Still, I hadn't planned on using it as a subject for a column, but as fate would have it, …

The results of an Italian Phase 3 study show that consolidation therapy with a combination of Velcade, thalidomide, and dexamethasone is more effective in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients than treatment with thalidomide and dexamethasone alone.

Specifically, the three-drug regimen led to higher rates of complete responses, as well as longer progression-free survival, compared to the two-drug regimen.

“Analyses performed in our study demonstrate that VTD [Velcade-thalidomide-dexamethasone] consolidation therapy significantly contributed to improved clinical outcomes,” said lead study investigator Dr. Michele Cavo from the Seragnoli Institute of Hematology in Bologna, Italy.

Preliminary …

The results of a recent Phase 2 clinical trial comparing four Velcade-based combination therapies in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients show that a four-drug combination containing Velcade, Revlimid, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone led to similarly high response rates as the three-drug regimens, but resulted in a higher rate of side effects.

“We were hoping to see more activity at the same level of toxicity as the three-drug combination, but the result was similar efficacy at higher toxicity,” said Dr. Shaji Kumar of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and lead investigator of the …

Results of a small French study support previous findings that Revlimid in combination with dexamethasone is effective in elderly patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.

Importantly, the researchers found that almost a third of responding patients could remain on therapy following dose adjustments, which, according to the researchers, highlights “the need for a personalized therapeutic approach according to patient age and vulnerability.” 

Revlimid (lenalidomide) in combination with dexamethasone (Decadron) is a standard therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.  Patients are typically prescribed a starting dose of 25 mg of Revlimid, in …

According to a recent Swedish study, a family history of blood clots has a greater impact on the risk of developing blood clots in multiple myeloma patients than in the general population.

“There are probably synergistic effects; i.e., if you have a family history [of blood clots] and multiple myeloma, the risk is more then the sum of the individual risks,” explained Dr. Sigurdur Kristinsson of the Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden and lead investigator of the study.

Based on the study’s findings, Dr. Kristinsson said, “Perhaps family history should be taken …

Results of a small Phase 2 study show that the four-drug combination therapy of Revlimid, Velcade, Doxil, and dexamethasone may be an effective and tolerable treatment option for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients.

According to the study investigators, the four-drug regimen compares favorably to the three-drug combination without Revlimid in that it improves response rates without a significant increase in side effects.

The investigators recommend that future trials further investigate the number and specific types of previous treatments to identify those in which the Revlimid, Velcade, Doxil, and dexamethasone combination may …