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Antidepressant Demonstrates Anti-Myeloma Activity - Results of a preclinical study conducted in China indicate that the antidepressant amitriptyline (Elavil) may have anti-myeloma activity.  Amitriptyline is an older drug, first approved for use in the United States in the early 1960s.  It belongs to a class of drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants.  Myeloma patients may be aware of the drug be­cause it sometimes is prescribed as a treat­ment for periph­eral neu­rop­athy (pain, tingling, and loss of sensation in the extremities due to nerve damage).  In the recent Chinese study, researchers found that orally admin­istered ami­trip­tyline significantly reduced the growth of myeloma cells in mice implanted with either mouse or human myeloma cells.  As a result, the drug substantially ex­tended the survival of the mice with the myeloma cells.  The researchers also found that combining ami­trip­ty­line with Velcade (bor­tez­o­mib) had a greater anti-myeloma effect than would have been expected given the anti-myeloma effect of each individual drug on its own.  For more in­­for­ma­tion, please see the study in the journal Anti-Cancer Drugs (abstract).

Phase 3 Clinical Trial To Study Ixazomib Combination In Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients – The pharma­ceu­tical com­pany Millennium has launched a Phase 3 trial of its investigational drug ixazomib (MLN9708) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients who are not can­di­dates for stem cell trans­plan­ta­tion. The study, which will be carried out in North America and Europe, will in­ves­ti­gate the efficacy and safety of ixazomib in com­bi­na­tion with Revlimid (lena­lido­mide) and dexamethasone (Decadron). Ixazomib is an oral drug that belongs to the same class of drugs as Velcade and Kyprolis (car­filz­o­mib), called proteasome inhibitors. In recent Phase 1/2 clinical trials, ixazomib showed promise as a single agent as well as in com­bi­na­tion with Revlimid and dexa­meth­a­sone in both newly diagnosed and re­lapsed/​refractory myeloma patients (see related Beacon news). For more in­­for­ma­tion, please see the Millennium press release and the clinical trial description.

Human Cytomegalovirus Virus Reactivation After Donor Transplant Does Not Impact Survival In Myeloma Patients – The human cytomegalovirus virus (HCMV) is a type of herpes virus which infects over half the U.S. population.  The virus is usually dormant, but if it is reactivated, it can result in eye or lung in­fec­tions which, if they occur in patients who have received a donor stem cell trans­plant, can have serious consequences, including death.  The results of a recent French study show that myeloma patients who carry HCMV are at high risk of virus reactivation after reduced-intensity donor stem cell trans­plan­ta­tion, irrespective of whether the donor also carried the virus. Patients’ whose donors carried HCMV were also at risk of virus reac­ti­va­tion after trans­plan­ta­tion. Another factor that contributed to virus reactivation was if the patient, within 100 days of their trans­plant, developed graft-versus-host disease (a potentially serious side effect of donor stem cell trans­plan­ta­tion in which donor immune system cells attack the patient's cells).  The French researchers also found, however, that virus reactivation did not negatively impact post-transplant out­comes, such as pro­gres­sion-free and over­all survival.  In fact, there was a trend toward better out­comes for patients who were at higher risk of virus reactivation.  For more in­­for­ma­tion, please see the study in the Mediterranean Journal of Hema­tology and Infectious Diseases (full text).

LLS Teleconference On Myeloma Treatment And Side Effect Management – On June 3, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will sponsor a free teleconference call about the treat­ment of multiple myeloma and man­agement of side effects.  Dr. Vincent Rajkumar from the Mayo Clinic will lead the pro­gram, which runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time.  Dr. Rajkumar will speak about current and emerging myeloma treat­ments, the role of clinical trials in the devel­op­ment of myeloma treat­ments, and the importance of com­munication between patient and provider about treat­ment-related side effects and man­agement of them. For more in­­for­ma­tion or to register, please see the LLS website.

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GDC-0941 May Be Active In Multiple Myeloma – Results of a recent pre­clinical study suggest that the investigational drug GDC-0941, which is being developed by the biotech company Genentech, may have anti-myeloma activity and may increase the activity of Revlimid (lenalidomide) and dexa­methasone (Decadron). Like perifosine, another investigational myeloma treatment, GDC-0941 inhibits an enzyme in cancer cells known as phos­pho­inositide 3-kinase (PI3K). By in­hibit­ing PI3K, GDC-0941 disrupts the cell division cycle and causes cancer cell death. It is being investigated as a treatment for a variety of different cancers, including breast cancer and lung cancer. Based on their findings, the re­searchers recommend that GDC-0941 be further developed as a potential treatment for myeloma. For more information, please see the study in the journal Oncogene (abstract).

Phase 1 Clinical Trial To Study CUDC-907 In Multiple Myeloma And Lymphoma Patients – The pharma­ceutical company Curis (NASDAQ:CRIS) has launched a Phase 1 trial of CUDC-907 in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma or lymphoma. Patients must have received at least two prior thera­pies to be eligible for the study. CUDC-907 is a multi-targeted agent that inhibits both PI3K and histone deacetylase (HDAC) in cancer cells. Other HDAC inhibitors that are being investigated as potential treat­ments for multiple myeloma include Zolinza (vorinostat), panobinostat, and ricolinostat (ACY-1215). For more information, including trial locations, please see the clinical trial description.

LLS Teleconference About Latest Myeloma Research From ASH – On January 29, the Leukemia & Lym­phoma Society (LLS) will sponsor a free teleconference call about the latest myeloma research from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting.  Dr. Kenneth Anderson, director of the Jerome Lipper Myeloma Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, will lead the program, which will run from noon till 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time.  Dr. Anderson will speak about current and emerging myeloma treatments, the role of clinical trials in the development of myeloma treatment, and advances in the management of treatment side effects. For more information or to register, please see the LLS website.

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Researchers Observe High Rate Of Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw In Myeloma Patients After Stem Cell Transplantation – In a recent retrospective study, German researchers observed a high rate of osteonecrosis of the jaw (23 percent) in multiple myeloma patients who had a stem cell transplant prior to bisphosphonate therapy. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a condition that is associated with a loss of blood supply to the jaw, causing the jawbone tissue to die. It can occur in multiple myeloma patients during bisphosphonate treatment. The researchers found that the risk for bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw was significantly higher for patients with rheumatism and recent dental work. In addition, the researchers found that higher rates of osteonecrosis of the jaw were associated with the duration of bisphosphonate therapy as well as the type and cumulative dose of bisphosphonate used. For more information, please see the study in the journal Onkologie (abstract).

Study Finds Late Relapses After Donor Transplantation In Myeloma – Results of a small, long-term follow-up study show that late relapses are possible in multiple myeloma patients after donor stem cell transplantation with reduced-intensity chemotherapy. At a median follow-up time of 9.8 years, the seven-year progression-free survival rate was 31 percent and the overall survival rate was 60 percent.  Ten percent of patients relapsed within 6 to 12 years after the transplant, which the researchers described as surprising. The researchers found that being in remission at the time of the transplant and having chronic graft-versus-host disease, a common transplant-related complication, in which the donor cells recognize the patient cells as foreign and attack them, were associated with improved overall survival. For more information, please see the study in the British Journal of Haematology (abstract).

LLS Teleconference On Stem Cell Transplantation – On December 3, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will sponsor a free teleconference call about stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma and lymphoma.  Dr. Edward Stadtmauer from the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Jonathan Friedberg from the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester will lead the program, which begins at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.  Dr. Stadtmauer and Dr. Friedberg will speak about the role of stem cell transplantation in myeloma and lymphoma, the key research topics for stem cell transplantation, and side effect management and other quality of life issues. For more information or to register, please see the LLS website.

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J&J Restores Full Access To Doxil – Johnson & Johnson announced last week that the company has restored full access to a reliable supply of Doxil (doxorubicin liposomal), which is approved in combination with Velcade (bortezomib) for previously treated multiple myeloma patients. Doxil has been in short supply since August 2011 after the company had announced delays in manufacturing a month earlier. Johnson & Johnson also announced last week that it will be suspending its Doxil CARES Physician Access Program, which it had created in response to the temporary Doxil shortage. For more information, please see the Doxil Supply website.

Study Shows No Link Between Tobacco Smoking And Multiple Myeloma – Results of a recent Greek analysis indicate that tobacco smoking does not increase the risk of developing multiple myeloma. The Greek researchers point out that their findings apply to both current and former smokers. The analysis was based on 40 studies, which included a total of approximately two million people. For more information, please see the study in The International Journal of Cancer (abstract).

Physical Activity Declines After Myeloma Diagnosis – Results of an Australian study show that levels of physical activity decline after people are diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The researchers identified fatigue, injuries, and pain as the strongest perceived barriers to participation in physical activity. However, they also found that 41 percent of patients were willing to participate in an exercise program if one was offered to them. Based on their findings, the researchers recommended that measures to increase physical activity should aim to decrease the perceived barriers. For more information, please see the study in Supportive Care in Cancer (pdf).

LLS Teleconference On Myeloma Diagnosis And Treatment – On October 30, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will sponsor a free teleconference call entitled “Myeloma Diagnosis and Treatment Update.”  The call will begin at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time and will be led by Dr. Ruben Niesvizky from the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City.  Dr. Niesvizky will speak about the goals of myeloma treatment, current treatments and emerging therapies, management of side effects, and the importance of patient and health care team communications.  After the talk, Dr. Niesvizky will answer questions from participants.  For more information or to register, please see the LLS website.

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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.

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Inhibition Of MAGE-C1/CT7 Increases Sensitivity Of Myeloma Cells To Velcade – Results of a recent Brazilian study show that inhibiting the MAGE-C1/CT7 gene in myeloma cells increases their sensitivity to Velcade (bortezomib). Specifically, researchers found that Velcade decreased the number of dividing myeloma cells by 48 percent when the cells were inhibited from activating the MAGE-C1/CT7 gene; in comparison, when the cells were allowed to activate the gene, Velcade decreased the number of dividing myeloma cells by between 9 percent and 13 percent. The researchers also observed an increased frequency of programmed cell death when inhibited myeloma cells were treated with Velcade. Based on these results, the study authors concluded that the MAGE-C1/CT7 gene protects myeloma cells against the anti-cancer effects of Velcade. They speculated that targeting this gene could be a strategy for future multiple myeloma therapies. For more information, please see the article in the journal PLoS ONE.

GO-Y030 And GO-Y078 Inhibit Myeloma Cell Growth – Results of a recent Japanese study indicate that the molecules GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 suppress the growth of myeloma cells by inhibiting signaling pathways within the cells. GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 are synthetic variants of curcumin, a substance found in the Indian spice turmeric. In this study, researchers found that GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 were 7 to 12 times more effective at suppressing the growth of myeloma cells than curcumin. Moreover, GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 were 6 to 15 times more effective at inhibiting signaling pathways in myeloma cells and 14 times more effective at suppressing production of interleukin-6, a protein responsible for myeloma cell growth. Based on these results, the study authors concluded that GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 are potential candidates for future anti-myeloma therapies. For more information, please see the article in the journal Anticancer Research (abstract).

LLS Web Cast: Making Cancer Treatment Decisions – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will be hosting a web cast tomorrow at 1 p.m. EST about making cancer treatment decisions. Topics covered include questions patients should ask to make informed treatment decisions, benefits and risks of standard treatments, clinical trial design and participation, and financial considerations related to cancer treatment. Dr. Gail J. Roboz of Weill Medical College in New York and Beth Patterson of Mission Delivery in Hampton, VA will speak at the event. For more information about the event or to register, please visit the Leukemia & Lymphoma website.

Multiple Myeloma Educational Program – An educational program for multiple myeloma patients will be held on December 7 in St. Louis, MO. Multiple myeloma specialist Dr. Keith Stockerl-Goldstein will speak about treatment options for myeloma patients as well as answer patients’ questions. Multiple myeloma patient Karl V. will also speak about his experiences. Registration will begin at 6 p.m., and the program will start at 6:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by Millennium, the manufacturer of Velcade. For more information or to register, please call 1-866-508-6181.

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

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J&J Announces Shortage Of Doxil – Johnson & Johnson announced manufacturing delays last week that will result in a temporary shortage of Doxil (doxorubicin liposomal), which is approved in combination with Velcade (bortezomib) for previously treated multiple myeloma patients.  The company is estimating that shipments of Doxil will resume in late August and asked physicians not to start any new patients on Doxil until then.  Last month, the company informed doctors about the potential shortage so physicians could discuss treatment options with their patients who might be affected by the shortage.  For more information, see the Johnson & Johnson announcement about the shortage.  Updates on the situation will be available on the Doxil website.

Children Raise $8.4 Million In Spare Change To Support LLS – Students across the United States recently raised $8.4 million for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to fund research for blood cancers, including multiple myeloma, as well as provide services and support for blood cancer patients. The students put collection jars in their classrooms and collected spare change over a three-week period during this past school year.  The top fundraising class at each school received a pasta party from Olive Garden.  Over the past 17 years, this program has raised more than $61 million for the LLS.  For more information, see the Olive Garden press release.

Multiple Myeloma Educational Program – An educational program for multiple myeloma patients will be held on August 6 in Richmond, VA. A physician specializing in multiple myeloma will talk about treatment options for myeloma patients as well as answer attendee’s questions. A multiple myeloma patient will also speak about his experiences. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the program will start at 10 a.m. at the Westin Richmond. The event is sponsored by Millennium, the manufacturer of Velcade. For more information, see the Beacon event description or call 1-866-508-6181.

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