Articles tagged with: Dinaciclib
NewsFlash »
Researchers from the U.S. National Cancer Institute recently initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial that will test whether dinaciclib in combination with Velcade and dexamethasone is safe and effective as an anti-myeloma therapy.
The clinical trial is taking place at a several locations across the United States, and is open to multiple myeloma patients who have relapsed after at least one previous myeloma treatment regimen.
Dinaciclib (SCH727965) is currently being developed by Merck (NYSE: MRK). It is a small molecule that inhibits enzymes called cyclin-dependent kinases, which regulate the cell cycle and are often overactive in cancer cells. Dinaciclib interrupts the cell cycle by inhibiting these kinases, ultimately causing the cell to die.
Preclinical studies have shown that Velcade (bortezomib) is more effective when cyclin-dependent kinases are inhibited, and a previous Phase 1/2 study showed that dinaciclib is safe and active as a monotherapy for relapsed/refractory myeloma (see related Beacon news).
Therefore, this study is being conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of dinaciclib in combination with Velcade and dexamethasone (Decadron).
For more information about the trial, see the trial description at the U.S. clinical trial registry.
News»
This year’s meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) was held December 8 through 11 in Atlanta.
During the meeting, The Beacon published daily updates that provided overviews of the important multiple myeloma findings presented during the meeting. After the meeting concluded, The Beacon began publishing in-depth articles about the key research findings.
This article, however, shifts the focus to the bigger picture: What were the key findings of the meeting? Were there results with immediate implications for the treatment of multiple myeloma? Did the research …
News»
Results from a Phase 1/2 study show that dinaciclib has anti-myeloma activity in relapsed multiple myeloma patients.
“The current study shows encouraging potential for the single-agent [use of dinaciclib] in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma,” said Dr. Shaji Kumar from the Mayo Clinic, who presented the results at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting last week. He added that the treatment was also “well-tolerated with toxicity that was manageable.”
However, Dr. Kumar explained that further studies are needed to determine an optimal dosing schedule and to evaluate dinaciclib in combination with …
News»
This year’s American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting, which is being held in Atlanta, began yesterday and goes through Tuesday.
Today’s myeloma-related presentations began this afternoon with three sessions of oral presentations. Two of the sessions focused on results from clinical trials, most of which studied drugs that are still under development as potential treatments for multiple myeloma. The third session, which focused on the biology of myeloma, ran simultaneously with one of the sessions about clinical trial results.
This article will summarize the first oral session about multiple myeloma treatments, …
News»
During the upcoming annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), which will be held December 8 through 11 in Atlanta, results will be presented from clinical trials involving a number of potential new drugs under development for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
In particular, results for newer, lesser known agents that are in the early stages of clinical development will take center stage. These agents include ARRY-520 (filanesib), BHQ880, circularly permuted TRAIL, daratumumab, dinaciclib, lorvotuzumab mertansine, oprozomib, and tabalumab.
According to the recently …
NewsFlash »
Development Of Dinaciclib For Multiple Myeloma To Continue – An ongoing Phase 2 trial of dinaciclib (SCH-727965) as a single-agent therapy for multiple myeloma has completed enrollment. Dr. Shaji Kumar, a myeloma specialist at the Mayo Clinic and lead investigator of the study, expects to present results from the trial at the American Society of Hematology meeting in December. A Phase 1 U.S. trial of dinaciclib in combination with Velcade (bortezomib) is expected to start in several months, also with Dr. Kumar as lead investigator. A representative from Merck (NYSE: MRK), the company developing dinaciclib, told The Beacon that early analyses of data from the Phase 2 single-agent trial, along with ongoing preclinical research, suggest dinaciclib may work best as a myeloma therapy when used in combination with a proteasome inhibitor, such as Velcade. Dinaciclib belongs to a new class of anti-cancer drugs known as CDK inhibitors. Merck is investigating the drug as a potential treatment for several different blood and solid tumor cancers. For more information, see the related discussion in the Beacon forums.
Halofuginone Slows Myeloma Cell Growth And Enhances Anti-Myeloma Therapies – Results of a preclinical study show that a potential drug known as halofuginone slows the growth of myeloma cells in the laboratory as well as the growth of myeloma cells in mice. The drug did not, however, harm normal blood cells. Halofuginone also worked synergistically with Revlimid (lenalidomide), melphalan (Alkeran), dexamethasone (Decadron), and doxorubicin (Adriamycin) to kill myeloma cells. Halofuginone, which is being developed by Collgard Biopharmaceuticals, is a synthetic derivative of an active ingredient found in the Chinese herb Chang Shan. For more information, see the study in the British Journal of Hematology (abstract).
Sweetwater Paddle For The Cure – The non-profit foundation Beat Cancer With A Paddle will be holding its 4th annual Sweetwater Paddle For The Cure fundraiser on May 5 in Tampa, FL. The event will include a five-mile boating race on the Hillsborough River as well as a two-mile family fun paddle. There will be separate events for kayaks and standup paddleboards. Beat Cancer With A Paddle was founded by myeloma patient and Beacon columnist Dr. Arnold Goodman’s family in 2009 with the goal of raising money and awareness for multiple myeloma research while having fun. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. For more information or to register, see the Beat Cancer With A Paddle website.
LLS Teleconference On Advances In Myeloma Treatment – On May 15, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will sponsor a free teleconference call entitled “Myeloma Treatment and Side Effects Management Update.” The call will begin at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time and will be lead by Dr. Melissa Alsina and nurse Kathy Daily from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in Tampa, FL. They will speak about treatment options for myeloma, clinical trials, management of side effects, and survivorship issues for people living with myeloma. After the talk, Dr. Alsina and Ms. Daily will answer questions from participants. For more information or to register, please see the LLS website.
For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
