Articles tagged with: Meeting Update
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A recent clinical trial examining the effect of Nexavar (sorafenib) on multiple myeloma patients was terminated because of lack of effectiveness.
Nexavar is currently approved for the treatment of advanced kidney and liver cancers. It acts to stop the activity of overactive proteins that can cause cells to become cancerous.
This Phase 2 study enrolled 23 heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients, who were given a 400 mg oral dose of Nexavar daily until their disease progressed or toxicity was noted.
The study was terminated because of lack of effectiveness or severe toxicity in the …
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An American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting abstract, to be presented on June 1 at the ASCO Annual Meeting, describes a study on the combined effects of tanespimycin and Velcade (bortezomib) on patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Researchers found that combining tanespimycin and Velcade strengthened the drugs' effects; thus, the combined treatment compared favorably to therapy involving Velcade alone.
Tanespimycin, an antibiotic, binds to and disrupts Hsp90 (Heat Shock Protein 90). Hsp90 is a “chaperone” protein; it helps in the production of other proteins that contribute to …
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A retrospective study conducted at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas will be presented at the 2009 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting. Published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the study examined the effects of autologous stem cell transplantation after combination drug therapy in 95 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients and found that transplantation improved patients' responses.
Prior to autologous stem cell transplantation, patients in the study were treated with a combination regimen of Velcade (bortezomib), Revlimid (lenalidomide), and dexamethasone (Decadron) (VRD); …
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On May 31 at the 45th meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), researchers from Italy will report the results for a Phase 3 study currently comparing the combination Velcade (bortezomib)–melphalan (Alkeran)–prednisone–thalidomide (Thalomid) (VMPT) to Velcade-melphalan-prednisone (VMP) for the treatment of elderly, newly diagnosed myeloma patients.
Overall, the very good partial response rate for patients treated with VMPT was 55 percent, compared to 45 percent for those treated with VMP. After a median follow-up time of 14.5 months, the three-year progression-free survival was 74 percent in the …
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The 45th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is set to kick off on May 29 in Orlando.
This year, nearly 30,000 clinical specialists are expected to attend the five day meeting to discuss the latest advances in oncology research, care, treatment, prevention, and survivorship. Over 4,000 presentations and posters are scheduled, with this year’s meeting highlighting personalized cancer care.
The ASCO meeting will include many presentations and seminars focused on multiple myeloma. Currently, 50 myeloma-based abstracts are listed. The Myeloma Beacon will be covering the meeting, and …
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2009 BIO International Convention – This convention will be held from May 18 to May 21 in Atlanta, GA. Over 180 companies will visit and give presentations on their developments in technologies and other accomplishments. The convention is meant to act as a partnering tool for companies, as well as to give licensing tips and develop industry resources. For more information or to register, please visit the official BIO International Convention Web site.
2009 ASCO Meeting – The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting will be held May 29 to June 2 in Orlando, FL. This meeting will include forums and exhibits on recent scientific and educational progress in oncology. A major focus at the meeting will be on personalizing health care. Registration and a registration fee are required. For more information or to register, please visit the ASCO Web site.
7th Annual Monte Carlo Night – This night of entertainment will be held on May 14 in San Francisco City Hall. The event begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 1 a.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). The price of tickets is $75. For more information, please visit the LLS Web site.
What Myeloma Patients Should Know About The Swine Flu – The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) has compiled a list of need-to-know information about the H1N1 flu (swine flu) for patients with chronic medical conditions or those with weakened immune systems. To view this list, please visit the LLS Web site.
For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
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At the recent XII International Myeloma Workshop (IMW), physicians addressed the ongoing "cure versus control" debate in treating multiple myeloma. Though it can seem like a philosophical matter, the debate is extremely important to patient care. Whether a doctor aims to cure the patient or to control the disease will affect the type of treatment selected.
Even though there is still no cure for multiple myeloma, many physicians believe that the long-term survival experienced by many patients is nearly the same as a cure. At the same time, the line between disease …