Articles tagged with: MGUS
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Spanish researchers recently developed a new model based on a technique called multiparameter flow cytometry that can identify newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients with disease profiles similar to those of patients with the myeloma precursor disease monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.
The set of myeloma patients identified as having disease similar to monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) had better disease status at diagnosis and better long-term survival than other newly diagnosed myeloma patients, regardless of the depth of their response to treatment.
In addition, the model was able to identify MGUS …
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This year’s Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) is currently being held in Stockholm. It started earlier this week and will run through Sunday, June 16.
A substantial amount of myeloma-related research will be presented during the EHA meeting during both oral presentations and poster presentations.
This article summarizes some of the important myeloma-related findings that are expected to be presented during poster sessions today and tomorrow. A previous article covered the key findings that will be presented during oral presentations.
The studies covered in this article are primarily ones …
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FDA Approves Generic Doxil – The FDA recently approved a generic version of Doxil (doxorubicin liposomal), a drug used to treat several different cancers, including multiple myeloma. Doxil was in limited supply from August 2011 to October 2012 due to manufacturing problems. However, the generic version will be readily available in 20 mg or 50 mg vials. Doxil kills cancers cells by damaging their DNA. When used as a treatment for multiple myeloma, the drug is typically combined with Velcade (bortezomib). For more information, please see the related FDA press release
Researchers Develop New Technique To Identify Kyprolis-Resistant Myeloma Cells – Researchers from George Washington University have developed a new technique that can identify multiple myeloma cells resistant to treatment with Kyprolis. The technique involves the use of an imaging dye known as CDy1, which the researchers found effective for identifying myeloma cells with high levels of the gene ABCB1. The cells with high levels of ABCB1 were found, in turn, to be resistant to treatment with Kyprolis (carfilzomib). Based on their findings, the researchers conclude that their new technique may help determine whether levels of the ABCB1 gene can predict how well a multiple myeloma patient will respond to treatment with Kyprolis. For more information, please refer to the study in the American Journal of Hematology (abstract) and the related press release from George Washington University.
MGUS Patients May Have Increased Risk Of Developing MDS – Results of a recent study indicate that, compared to the general population, patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) have a 2.4 times higher risk of developing the blood disorder myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, the study also found that MGUS patients do not have a significantly increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia or acute lymphoblastic leukemia. For more information, please see the study in the journal Leukemia (abstract).
BI-505 Shows Limited Activity In Multiple Myeloma – Preliminary results from a Phase 1 clinical trial indicate that investigational drug BI-505 shows limited activity in multiple myeloma. However, the study investigators note that the drug had a favorable safety profile. Data from the trial are available for 29 myeloma patients, all of whom had at least two previous treatment regimens before entering the trial. Increasing doses of BI-505 were tested during the study, but the best response seen was stable disease for at least two months, which was observed in 24 percent of the patients. None of the trial participants achieved a partial response or better. BI-505, which is being developed by the Swedish pharmaceutical company BioInvent, is an antibody that binds selectively to myeloma cells, triggering their death. BioInvent has described the trial results as "encouraging," and plans to test the 10 mg/kg dose of BI-505 in a future Phase 2 trial. For more information, please see the BioInvent press release.
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Yesterday was the first day of research presentations at this year’s American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting, which is being held in Atlanta.
Research findings related to multiple myeloma was presented in three different sessions during the day.
Two of the sessions were actually the same general educational session about multiple myeloma, repeated at two different times during the day. The Beacon will cover the presentations given during those sessions in a separate daily update.
The key myeloma-related research presented yesterday, however, was made public during a poster session in the …
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Brenda Driver, a 59-year old former nurse from California, was diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) in August last year.
She took the diagnosis as a blessing in disguise. “I’m grateful that I didn’t present with myeloma right away. Having MGUS gives me a chance to learn about myeloma,” she said.
MGUS is a plasma cell disorder, characterized by the presence of increased levels of monoclonal (M) protein in the blood. Unlike myeloma patients, however, those with MGUS do not experience any disease-related symptoms. MGUS patients currently follow a “watch …
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Today is the last day of this year’s American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, which is being held in Chicago. However, the multiple myeloma-related presentations at the meeting concluded yesterday.
A poster session yesterday afternoon featured research on a wide variety of myeloma-related topics, ranging from new treatments being developed for myeloma, to currently used regimens, to second cancers, to precursor myeloma diseases, and much more.
This article summarizes research from that session related to prognostic factors, precursor myeloma diseases, peripheral neuropathy, osteonecrosis of the jaw, and second cancers.
A summary …
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INNO-206 Shows Activity Against Myeloma - Results of a preclinical study show that the investigational drug INNO-206 inhibits blood vessel formation and reduces cell growth in myeloma cell lines. The drug showed these effects when tested alone; additionally it enhanced the efficacy of Velcade (bortezomib) when tested in combination. INNO-206 is a derivative of the chemotherapy agent doxorubicin (Adriamycin). This study also showed that INNO-206 was safer in mice than doxorubicin and therefore could be administered at higher doses. For information, please see the study in Clinical Cancer Research (abstract).
TRAIL-Doxorubicin Combination May Eradicate Myeloma Cells – Results of a preclinical study show that a combination of doxorubicin and TRAIL, a protein that induces cell death, was able to eradicate myeloma cell lines. In particular, the TRAIL-doxorubicin combination successfully eliminated cells that are implicated in tumor initiation as well as tumor growth. According to the study investigators, these findings offer a promising new approach to finding a cure for multiple myeloma. For more information, please see the study in PloS One.
Relatives Of Multiple Myeloma Patients Have Increased Risk Of MGUS – Results of a study conducted at the Mayo Clinic indicate that first-degree relatives of multiple myeloma patients are 3.4 times as likely to develop light-chain monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) compared to the general population. A previous study also showed that these relatives are at an increased risk of developing heavy-chain MGUS. For more information, please see the study in the British Journal of Hematology (abstract).
IMF Myeloma Workshop For Patients And Families – The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will be hosting a workshop for multiple myeloma patients and their families on June 23 in Milwaukee, WI. Dr. Ayman Saad from the Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. Natalie Callander from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, and nurse Tiffany Richards from the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston will speak about topics including treatment options, managing side effects, and local clinical trials. 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.
