Opinion»

Since my sister Deana was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in April 2011, participating on charity teams to raise awareness and money for research has become an important activity for me.  Two weeks ago, as Hurricane Sandy was making news, I was en route to Washington, D.C., to participate in my second charity marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon.

While not a Marine, I am moved by their motto, “Semper Fi” – always faithful. Until my sister is cured, I will remain steadfastly faithful to the myeloma cause.

It is true that a runner …

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 4^th 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.

NewsFlash »

Delanzomib Shows High Activity Against Myeloma In Preclinical Studies – Results of pre-clinical studies indicate that delanzomib (CEP-18770) is highly active against myeloma cells. Specifically, the researchers found that delanzomib is comparable in activity to Velcade (bortezomib). Delanzomib, like Velcade, is a boronic acid-based proteasome inhibitor that suppresses cancer cell growth by inhibiting the enzymes that break down important proteins in cancer cells. The researchers also found that delanzomib inhibited tumor enzyme activity significantly more than Velcade (60 percent versus 32 percent). In laboratory studies, delanzomib also killed cancer cells that developed resistance to Velcade. According to the study investigators, these results provide rationale for clinical studies investigating the effects of delanzomib. For more information, please see the study in Molecular Pharmaceutics (abstract).

Longer-Term Zometa Use Reduces Rate Of Skeletal Complications In Multiple Myeloma Patients – Results of a recent study show that longer-term use of Zometa (zoledronic acid), an intravenous bisphosphonate, reduces the rate of skeletal complications in multiple myeloma patients with bone disease. In their study, researchers retrospectively assessed the rate of skeletal complications in 1,655 myeloma patients over time. Sixty-four percent of patients received Zometa, while the remaining 36 percent did not receive any form of bisphosphonate therapy. The researchers found that patients who received Zometa for longer periods of time (more than 1.5 years) had a lower risk of developing skeletal complications, including fractures, compared to patients who received Zometa for shorter periods of time. Patients who received Zometa also experienced lower death rates than patients who did not receive bisphosphonate therapy. For more information, please see the study in the American Journal of Hematology (abstract).

TRAF6 May Be A New Therapeutic Target For Multiple Myeloma – Results of a recent pre-clinical study indicate that inhibition of TRAF6 decreases the spread of myeloma cells and increases the rate of self-induced cancer cell death. TRAF6 is a protein involved in cell signaling pathways and plays an important role in promoting the growth, survival, and drug resistance of myeloma cells. According to the study investigators, these results showed that TRAF6 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of multiple myeloma. For more information, please see the study in Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma And Leukemia (abstract).

MMRF Chicago Awards Dinner – The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) will hold the Chicago Awards Dinner on April 10 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. The reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. During the event, Pat Williams, Senior Vice President of the Orlando Magic, will receive the MMRF’s Spirit of Hope Award. Proceeds from the event will go toward the MMRF’s research efforts. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit the MMRF website.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.

NewsFlash »

MDX-1097 Receives Orphan Drug Status For Multiple Myeloma – The Australian bio-therapeutic com­pany Immune System Therapeutics announced last week that it has received orphan drug designation from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its investigational drug MDX-1097. MDX-1097 is an anti­body that binds to certain proteins on the surface of myeloma cells, triggering the immune system to kill the cancer cells. The FDA uses the orphan drug designation to promote the devel­op­ment of new treat­ments for rare diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States. The orphan drug status provides the developer of the drug with several benefits, including funding for clinical trials and marketing exclusivity for up to seven years.  For more in­­for­ma­tion, please see the Immune System Therapeutics press release.

MD Anderson Cancer Center Announces Start Of Phase 1 Trial With Carfilzomib Plus Panobinostat In Myeloma – The MD Anderson Cancer Center announced last week that it will be starting a Phase 1 trial in early August to determine the highest tolerable dose levels of carfilzomib in com­bi­na­tion with panobinostat (Farydak) in re­lapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients. The safety of the com­bi­na­tion treat­ment will also be assessed. Carfilzomib, which belongs to the same class of drugs as Velcade (bor­tez­o­mib), is a new drug from Onyx Pharmaceuticals that is cur­rently being in­ves­ti­gated as a potential treat­ment for multiple myeloma. Panobinostat is an oral experimental cancer drug that is being developed by Novartis. For more in­­for­ma­tion, please see the clinical trial description.

Music Against Myeloma – On Wednesday, July 13, several bands will play at Greenhouse in Manhattan to raise awareness and funds for multiple myeloma. The event starts at 8 p.m. and will feature live bands, drink specials, cupcakes, and more.  All proceeds will go to the Inter­na­tional Myeloma Foundation. For more in­­for­ma­tion and tickets, please see the Music Against Myeloma website.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.

NewsFlash »

U.K. Agency Recommends Velcade and Thalidomide For Myeloma Patients – The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), the agency that decides which treatments will be funded for patients in England and Wales, released a final draft guidance on June 2 recommending that Velcade (bortezomib) and thalidomide (Thalomid) can be used as first-line treatments for multiple myeloma patients who are not candidates for stem cell transplants. Both drugs are currently recommended as second-line treatments. The final guidance deciding the use of Velcade and thalidomide in the U.K. is expected later this year. For more information, please see the NICE website.

15th Congress Of The European Hematology Association – As a reminder to Beacon readers, the European Hematology Association (EHA) will hold its 15th meeting from June 10 to 13 in Barcelona, Spain.  European researchers and physicians will meet to present the latest research findings about multiple myeloma and other blood disorders.  The Myeloma Beacon will also be covering the event on its website.  For more information, please visit the EHA Congress website.

MMRF Race For Research – On June 13, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) will hold a Race For Research 5K Walk/Run in New Canaan, CT, to raise awareness and funds for multiple myeloma research. Registration is scheduled for 7:30 a.m., and the race starts at 9 a.m. For more information, please see the MMRF website.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.

NewsFlash »

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center To Field Questions At The Beacon's Forums This Week – Dr. William Bensinger, myeloma expert at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, WA, will be be responding to medical questions posted in the Myeloma Beacon's forums this week. Readers who have not yet visited the Beacon's new myeloma discussion forums are encouraged to do so, as they already contain a number of informative postings about topics such as myeloma treatment options, managing treatment side effects, and alternative myeloma therapies.

Treanda Combination Therapy Enters Phase 1B/2 Trial For Multiple Myeloma – Last week, the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC) announced the start of a Phase 1B/2 clinical trial that will evaluate a combination of Treanda (bendamustine), Revlimid (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone (Decadron) in relapsed multiple myeloma patients. Treanda is already approved in Germany in combination with prednisone for the treatment of multiple myeloma. In the United States, the drug is approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and certain lymphomas.  For more information, see the MMRC press release or the clinical trial description.

MMRF Kicks Off Race For Research 5K Walk/Run Series – On April 25, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) will kick off its annual Race For Research 5K Walk/Run series to raise awareness and funds for multiple myeloma research. The events will take place in eight cities across the Unites States. The first one is scheduled for April 25 in San Francisco. For more information and registration details, see the MMRF Web site.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.

NewsFlash »

Myeloma Experts From University Of Arkansas Answer Questions At The Myeloma Beacon Forums This Week – Dr. Bart Barlogie and Dr. Bijay Nair, myeloma experts from the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences will be answering medical questions posted to the forums at the Myeloma Beacon this week. Readers can post their questions and review answers from other myeloma experts by visiting the Myeloma Beacon Forums.

MMRF Grants Funding To Intellikine and Tragara Pharmaceuticals For Novel Myeloma Treatments – The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) announced last week that it will award Intellikine and Tragara Pharmaceuticals, two biotech companies based in Southern California, with $1 million each for the development of two new compounds for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Intellikine’s INK128 and Tragara Pharmaceuticals’ TG02 have both shown potential for multiple myeloma in pre-clinical studies. For more information, please see the MMRF press release.

5th Annual “Music Against Myeloma” Fundraiser To Be Held In NYC – On April 22, special musical performances will take place during the 5^th annual “Music Against Myeloma” fundraiser to the benefit of the International Myeloma Foundation. The event will take place at BLVD in New York City from 7 to 10 p.m. Advance tickets are $40. Please see the Music Against Myeloma Web site for additional information and to purchase tickets.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.