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Perifosine Combination Therapy May Be An Effective Treatment Option For Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma - Recently published results from a multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial demonstrate that the addition of perifosine to a Velcade (bortezomib) and dexamethasone (Decadron) regimen is effective and safe in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients.   The results were previously presented at the American Society of Hematology’s (ASH) 51st Annual Meeting in 2009.  The novel combination showed promising response rates in heavily pretreated patients, particularly those relapsed or refractory to Velcade treatment. Additionally, the treatment regimen resulted in few side effects. A Phase 3 clinical trial comparing a perifosine and Velcade plus dexamethasone regimen to Velcade and dexamethasone in relaspsed/refractory patients is currently underway.  For a more detailed summary of the results, please see the Beacon’s coverage of the ASH presentation or the study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology  (abstract).

Preclinical Study Shows Tysabri Decreases Multiple Myeloma Cell Growth – Results of a recent preclinical study showed that the drug Tysabri (natalizumab) inhibited growth of multiple myeloma cells and sensitized myeloma cells to Velcade. Tysabri is currently approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease. Based on these results, the study authors suggested clinical studies for the evaluation of Tysabri in combination with novel agents such as Velcade. For more information, please see the article in the British Journal of Haematology (abstract).

Enrollment For Masitinib Clinical Trial Begins - The pharmaceutical company AB Science has started recruiting multiple myeloma patients for a Phase 3 trial of its investigational drug masitinib. Masitinib works by impairing several factors required for growth in tumor cells and has already shown promise in clinical trials for pancreatic cancer.  The current trial is designed to study the efficacy and safety of masitinib in combination with Velcade and dexamethasone in relapsed multiple myeloma patients who have received one previous therapy.  Nearly 300 patients will be enrolled across 75 national and international centers.  Masitinib, sold in the U.S. under the brand name Kinavet, already has a conditional approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for certain skin tumors in dogs.  For more information on patient enrollment for the masitinib myeloma clinical trial, please see the AB Science press release.