Articles tagged with: International Myeloma Foundation
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Myeloma Beacon To Launch Sponsorship Program – To continue expanding the content and services it provides the myeloma community, The Myeloma Beacon will launch a sponsorship program on September 6. Sponsors will include myeloma treatment centers, pharmaceutical companies, and other organizations and individuals. Participation in the program will give sponsors a way to support the Beacon's mission of providing objective news and information to patients and caregivers, while also providing sponsors greater visibility within the myeloma community.
Dr. Peter Voorhees Joins The Myeloma Beacon’s Medical Advisor Team – Dr. Peter Voorhees, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has joined The Myeloma Beacon’s team of Medical Advisors. Beacon Medical Advisors assist with answering medical questions posted in the Beacon's multiple myeloma forums. For more information about getting medical advice answered in the forums, please see these instructions.
Modified Versions Of Ecstasy Could Treat Cancer – Researchers have made modified forms of the illegal drug ecstasy (MDMA) that kill white blood cell cancers 100 times more effectively than ecstasy itself. Ecstasy has been known to kill cancers involving white blood cells, such as multiple myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma. However, the doses of ecstasy necessary to treat cancer would be lethal to the patient. The new, more potent forms have the potential to be safe at therapeutic doses. For more information, see the study in the journal Investigational New Drugs (abstract).
Teleconference On Living Well With Myeloma – Tomorrow, the International Myeloma Foundation will sponsor a teleconference about living well with multiple myeloma. Timothy Tyler, director of pharmacy services at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, CA, will speak about drug interactions and contraindications (conditions making a particular drug or procedure inadvisable) as they pertain to myeloma treatments, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements. The call will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. PT. For more information, please see the International Myeloma Foundation website.
For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
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U.K. Agency Approves Thalidomide And Velcade For Newly Diagnosed Myeloma Patients – The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the agency that decides which treatments will be funded for patients in England and Wales, approved funding for thalidomide (Thalomid) and Velcade (bortezomib) for certain newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. According to the final guidelines, NICE approved thalidomide for patients ineligible for stem cell transplantation. Due to Velcade’s higher cost, it was approved for the same patients only if they are unable to tolerate thalidomide. Both drugs are supposed to be given in combination with an alkylating agent – e.g., melphalan (Alkeran) or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) – and a corticosteroid – e.g., dexamethasone (Decadron) or prednisone. For more information, see the NICE website.
Australian Myeloma Specialist Receives Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Douglas Joshua, a myeloma expert at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia, received the Robert A. Kyle lifetime achievement award last month from the International Myeloma Foundation for his work over the past 40 years in the field of multiple myeloma. Dr. Joshua is the head of the Myeloma Research Unit and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at his hospital and has led basic and clinical research in myeloma. For more information, see the Sydney Central.
San Diego Area Workshop For Myeloma Patients And Family – The International Myeloma Foundation will hold a free, one-day workshop for myeloma patients and their family members on August 13 in La Jolla, CA. Myeloma specialist Dr. Morie Gertz from the Mayo Clinic and two other guest speakers will discuss topics important to myeloma patients and answer attendees’ questions. The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Sheraton La Jolla and will last until 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to register, see the International Myeloma Foundation website.
For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
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Eighth Canadian Province Approves Revlimid Funding – Revlimid (lenalidomide) in combination with dexamethasone (Decadron) is now funded and accessible in Manitoba, Canada for multiple myeloma patients who have been previously treated. Only two provinces, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, deny access to myeloma patients who do not have private insurance. Myeloma Canada, an organization dedicated to supporting myeloma patients, will continue campaigning for universal coverage of Revlimid. For more information, please see the Myeloma Canada press release.
Astex And MMRC Begin Phase 2 Study Of AT7519 For Myeloma – Astex Therapeutics has launched a Phase 2 clinical trial, funded by the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC), of AT7519 for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients. AT7519 is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that prevents the growth and spread of myeloma cells by interfering with cell division. Previous trials have shown it has significant anti-tumor effect. AT7519 will be tested alone and in combination with Velcade (bortezomib). For more information, see the MMRC press release.
IMF Will Hold Myeloma Patient And Family Seminar – The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will hold an educational program for multiple myeloma patients and their families on August 27 and August 28 in Universal City, CA. Doctors in the myeloma field will answer questions and cover topics such as managing side effects, current standard treatments, and on-going clinical trials. The cost for the seminar is $60 per person. For more information or to register, please see the IMF website.
For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
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Onyx Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase 3 Myeloma Trial Of Carfilzomib – Onyx Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday announced the start of enrollment for an international Phase 3 trial of carfilzomib in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients. The trial will enroll 700 patients and will test carfilzomib in combination with Revlimid (lenalidomide) and low-dose dexamethasone (Decadron) versus Revlimid and low-dose dexamethasone without carfilzomib. Carfilzomib is a proteasome inhibitor that prevents the growth and spread of myeloma cells by interrupting their protein-related cellular processes. For more information, please see the Onyx Pharmaceuticals press release and the clinical trial description.
EntreMed’s ENMD-2076 Shows Anti-Myeloma Activity – EntreMed announced last week that its new cancer compound ENMD-2076 showed significant anti-myeloma activity in pre-clinical studies. EntreMed has already launched a Phase 1 study in multiple myeloma patients. ENMD-2076 prevents the growth and spread of myeloma cells by interfering with cell division. For more information, please see the EntreMed press release and the clinical trial description.
IMF Will Hold Myeloma Patient & Family Seminar – The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will be holding a seminar for myeloma patients and their families August 13 to 14 in Philadelphia, PA. Myeloma experts Dr. Brian Durie and Dr. Robert Kyle are among the speakers scheduled to present during Saturday’s general session. The cost for the seminar is $60 per person. For more information or to register, please visit the IMF website.
For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
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European Medicines Agency Approves Addition Of Survival Data To Velcade Prescribing Information – On June 15, Janssen-Cilag announced that the European Medicines Agency approved the addition of data to the prescribing information for Velcade (bortezomib) showing that Velcade extends survival in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. Results of an international Phase 3 study showed that the combination therapy of Velcade, melphalan (Alkeran), and prednisone elicits significantly higher complete response and overall survival rates among patients than melphalan and prednisone alone (see related Beacon news). For more information, please see the Janssen-Cilag press release.
IMF Holds Inaugural Myeloma Summit Meeting – The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) invited leading myeloma experts to speak about the future of multiple myeloma care and treatment at their first summit meeting in North Hollywood, CA. The summit took place on the heels of the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting. Topics for discussion included the use and timing of stem cell transplants, treatment goals, and the management of peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage to the extremities). The summit’s working group will issue consensus statements in the near future to guide treatment and further clinical trials. For more information, please read the IMF press release.
Phase 1/2b Study Of Arno Therapeutics’ Myeloma Drug Candidate AR-42 Treats First Patient – Arno Therapeutics announced treatment of the first patient with AR-42 in a Phase 1/2b study evaluating the drug for the treatment of advanced multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and lymphoma. Researchers will evaluate the drug’s safety, activity, and dosage limits. For more information, please see the Arno Therapeutics press release and the clinical trial description.
NCI Begins Phase 2 Study Of AZD6244 In Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma Patients – The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is launching a Phase 2 trial of AZD6244, a molecule that inhibits biochemical processes important to the survival of myeloma cells. The study is evaluating AZD6244 as a treatment for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. For more information or to participate in the trial, please contact the research nurse for this study, Mary Ann Yancey, at (301) 435-9227 or , or visit the clinical trial Web page.
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Myeloma Experts From Ohio State University To Field Questions At The Beacon Forums Next Week – As a way of giving multiple myeloma patients an opportunity to get expert answers to their myeloma-related questions, The Myeloma Beacon has arranged for physicians from The Ohio State University’s Myeloma Clinic to answer medical questions posted to the Beacon forums during the upcoming week. The center has a number of young, enthusiastic myeloma specialists who are eager to answer forum readers’ questions. One of the experts, Dr. Craig Hofmeister, has already provided answers to a number of forum questions. Readers are encouraged to begin posting their questions to the forums.
Boehringer Ingelheim And Micromet Announce Cooperation For Experimental Multiple Myeloma Treatment – Boehringer Ingelheim and Micromet announced last week that they will collaborate on the development of BiTE antibodies for the treatment of multiple myeloma. BiTE antibodies, which were discovered by Micromet, target the body’s immune system toward tumor cells. The two companies will conduct pre-clinical studies together. Boehringer Ingelheim will be responsible for the clinical development of the treatment. For more information, please see the Boehringer Ingelheim press release.
Celebrity Michael McKean Wins $1 Million On Jeopardy! For International Myeloma Foundation – Michael McKean, a film and television show actor, writer, and director, was the champion of last week’s Jeopardy! celebrity tournament. McKean donated the grand prize of $1 million to the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) to be used for patient and family education programs as well as multiple myeloma research. For more information, please see the IMF press release.
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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 5th 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.
