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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.

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Myeloma Experts From The John Theurer Cancer Center To Field Questions At The Beacon Forums Next Week – During the week of May 23 through 27, multiple myeloma patients and caregivers will have the opportunity to get expert answers to their myeloma-related questions.  Myeloma experts Dr. David Siegel and Dr. David Vesole from the John Theurer Cancer Center in Hackensack, NJ, will answer medical questions posted to the Beacon’s multiple myeloma forums throughout the week.  Research at the John Theurer Cancer Center was instrumental in getting Velcade (bortezomib) approved to treat myeloma.  The center is currently conducting studies on carfilzomib and pomalidomide and was also involved with the myeloma genome sequencing project that was published earlier this year.  Beacon readers are encouraged to begin posting their questions in the forums.

Acetylon And LLS Partner To Develop ACY-1215 For Multiple Myeloma – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) recently partnered with Acetylon Pharmaceuticals to support a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of Acetylon’s drug candidate ACY-1215 for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.  ACY-1215 is an HDAC inhibitor like myeloma drug candidates Zolinza (vorinostat) and panobinostat.  However, ACY-1215 is intended to be more selective than other HDAC inhibitors, meaning that it may have higher efficacy and fewer side effects. The Phase 1/2 study will investigate the safety and efficacy of ACY-1215 alone and in combination with Velcade and dexamethasone (Decadron).  Under the agreement, the LLS will provide up to $4.85 million to cover half of the projected costs of the clinical trial.  For more information, please see the Acetylon press release or the clinical trial description.

MMRF Laugh For Life Raises Money for Myeloma Research – The 9^th annual Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Laugh for Life comedy event held on Monday raised over $620,000.  The money will be used to support the development of new treatments for multiple myeloma.  Cat Greenleaf served as Master of Ceremonies, and comedians John Pinette and Sherry Davey performed.  Additionally, Geraldine Ferraro, who passed away from complications of myeloma in March, was honored with the MMRF Spirit of Hope Award at the event.  For more information, see the MMRF press release.

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Subcutaneous Velcade Injections Show Similar Efficacy But Fewer Side Effects Than IV Injections For Myeloma Patients – Results of a recent French study show that subcutaneous injections of Velcade (bortezomib) produce similar efficacy but fewer side effects for myeloma patients compared to IV injections. Dr. Philippe Moreau, the study’s lead investigator, first presented the results at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting last December. The study authors compared the responses of 148 patients who received subcutaneous Velcade injections with 74 patients who received IV injections. They found that after receiving eight cycles of treatment, patients in both groups had similar response rates, median time to progression, and overall survival, but the frequency and severity of side effects were significantly lower in the patients who received subcutaneous injections. For a more detailed summary of the results, please see the Beacon’s coverage of Dr. Moreau’s presentation at ASH or the study in Lancet Oncology (abstract). 

XTL Biopharmaceuticals Seeks FDA Orphan Drug Status Of Its Red Blood Cell Stimulator For Myeloma – The Israeli biopharmaceutical company XTL Biopharmaceuticals has requested that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grant orphan status to its red blood cell-stimulating agent erythropoietin for multiple myeloma. The compound is currently undergoing a Phase 2 clinical trial. Orphan status applies to drugs that treat rare diseases affecting under 200,000 Americans per year. It would grant incentives to XTL Biopharmaceuticals for developing erythropoietin, including shortened approval procedures, tax breaks on research and development costs, and financial assistance. For more information, please see the XTL Biopharmaceuticals press release.

Low Angiopoietin-1 To Angiopoietin-2 Ratio May Be Associated With Shorter Survival In Myeloma Patients – Results of a recent study involving 174 newly diagnosed myeloma patients show that a low angiopoietin-1/angiopoietin-2 ratio may be associated with a poorer prognosis for myeloma patients, including shorter survival and a higher frequency of kidney problems and extensive bone disease. Angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 belong to a category of proteins involved in the formation and development of new blood vessels. The study authors found that patients with an angiopoietin-1/angiopoietin-2 ratio equal to or below the median ratio had a median survival of 26.3 months compared to 53 months for other patients. The study authors also observed a decreased angiopoietin-1/angiopoietin-2 ratio mostly in patients who previously received therapy with novel agents. For more information, please see the article in the International Journal of Cancer (abstract).

MMRF Founder And CEO Kathy Giusti Named In List Of Top 100 Most Influential People In The World – Kathy Giusti, founder and CEO of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world in the May 2 issue of TIME Magazine. Giusti was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1996 at the age of 37. After receiving high-dose chemotherapy as well as a stem cell transplant in 2006, Giusti has been in remission to the present day. Giusti founded the MMRF in 1998. Since then, the organization has raised over $165 million for myeloma research. In 2004, she founded the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium to focus on conducting Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials of myeloma drugs. In addition, Giusti has served on the Cancer Leadership Council and the National Cancer Policy Board of the Institute of Medicine, and currently serves on the National Cancer Advisory Board. For more information, please see the MMRF press release.

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Natco Pharma Applies To Sell Generic Lenalidomide In The U.S. – The Indian drug company Natco Pharma filed a request with the Food and Drug Administration to market generic lenalidomide before Celgene’s patents on Revlimid (lenalidomide) expire in 2026. Revlimid is approved in the U.S. for the treatment of multiple myeloma as well as a collection of blood disorders called myelodysplastic syndromes. Investment analysts have speculated that the patent that extends Revlimid’s exclusivity from 2019 to 2026 is being challenged. Despite this application, the sale of generic lenalidomide is not likely for at least several years. Celgene plans to sue Natco for patent infringement, which would automatically result in a 30-month delay of Natco’s application to sell generic lenalidomide in order to settle the lawsuit. For more information, see the Dow Jones article.

Clinical Insights Education Program – The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is sponsoring an education program about multiple myeloma clinical insights. The event will be held on September 8 in St. Louis. Myeloma experts Drs. Ravi Vij, Todd Zimmerman, Keith Stockerl-Goldstein, Shaji Kumar, and David Vesole will speak about the latest advances in frontline therapy, stem cell transplants, relapsed and refractory myeloma, supportive care, and clinical trials. There will also be a question and answer session. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., and the program will conclude at 3 p.m. A similar program will be held in Houston on October 15. For more information about the St. Louis program or to register, please see the MMRF website.

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

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FDA Grants Priority Review Status To Velcade – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted priority review to the supplemental new drug application for Velcade (bortezomib) from Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company. The supplemental new drug application includes long-term overall survival data from the Phase 3 Vista trial, which examined treatment with Velcade in patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma. Applications granted priority review are approved by the FDA within six months instead of ten. For more information, please see the Millennium press release.

Celgene To Benefit From Increased Use Of Revlimid – Analysts believe that Celgene's stock may recover by the end of this year due to more doctors treating patients with Revlimid (lenalidomide). Revlimid is becoming more accepted as a maintenance treatment for multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and leukemia. Also, Celgene will report on a new clinical trial in December, which may raise sales. For more information, please see the Forbes article.

MMRF Chicago Marathon – On October 11 the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) team will be taking part in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The MMRF is seeking contributions for its runners, which will go towards helping to fund multiple myeloma research. For more information, please visit the MMRF Web site.

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

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MMRF ‘Laugh For Life’ Fundraising Event — On May 5, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) will host the ‘Laugh For Life’ fundraiser in New York City from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The event will feature dinner, live and silent auctions, and an entertaining line up of stand-up comedians.  More information, as well as ticket purchase, may be found at the MMRF Web site.

Dacetuzumab Clinical Trials Currently Enrolling — Seattle Genetics, Inc. has announced preclinical data for dacetuzumab, an anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody currently being tested for treatment of multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In the most recent results, dacetuzumab enhanced patient response to regimens of conventional chemotherapeutic agents, and researchers have identified a tumor mutation that helps predict which patients will respond to dacetuzumab. Two clinical trials, the first testing dacetuzumab alone and the second testing it in conjunction with Revlimid (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone (Decadron), are currently enrolling. For more information, see the Seattle Genetics, Inc. preclinical results press release.

Sign Up With LLS’s 'Team In Training' For The Nation’s Triathlon – On September 13, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will host the Nation’s Triathlon, the only triathlon dedicated to fighting blood cancer, in Washington, D.C.  Although the event is already sold out, individuals can still participate by joining LLS’s 'Team in Training' (TNT) program. By signing up with TNT, participants will receive four to five months of certified coaching, race gear, and travel and lodging arrangements. For more information, see the LLS Team in Training Web site.

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