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NCI Begins Study Of Smoldering Myeloma And MGUS Patients – The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is recruiting patients for a study aimed at identifying causes of transformation from precursor conditions, smoldering myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), to multiple myeloma. In addition, as previously reported at The Myeloma Beacon, the NCI is looking for relapsed or refractory myeloma patients for a Phase 2 study of AZD6244, a potential new treatment for multiple myeloma. This trial is still recruiting participants. For more information or to participate in either trial, please contact the research nurse, Mary Ann Yancey, at (301) 435-9227 or .

MorphoSys Receives Grant To Develop MOR202 For Multiple Myeloma – The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research awarded MorphoSys $1.26 million for the clinical development of its human antibody MOR202 for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Pre-clinical studies have shown that MOR202 effectively killed blood cancer cells. Clinical trials are expected to start in 2011. For more information, please see the MorphoSys press release.

CancerCare Sponsors Myeloma Education Workshop For Health Care Workers – The latest myeloma research will be presented during a virtual workshop, “Advances in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma,” which will take place Wednesday, August 11, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. EST. Although this workshop is intended for health care workers, the event is accessible and free to the public. For more information or to register, please see the CancerCare website.

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European Medicines Agency Approves Addition Of Survival Data To Velcade Prescribing Information – On June 15, Janssen-Cilag announced that the European Medicines Agency approved the addition of data to the prescribing information for Velcade (bortezomib) showing that Velcade extends survival in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. Results of an international Phase 3 study showed that the combination therapy of Velcade, melphalan (Alkeran), and prednisone elicits significantly higher complete response and overall survival rates among patients than melphalan and prednisone alone (see related Beacon news). For more information, please see the Janssen-Cilag press release.

IMF Holds Inaugural Myeloma Summit Meeting – The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) invited leading myeloma experts to speak about the future of multiple myeloma care and treatment at their first summit meeting in North Hollywood, CA. The summit took place on the heels of the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting. Topics for discussion included the use and timing of stem cell transplants, treatment goals, and the management of peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage to the extremities). The summit’s working group will issue consensus statements in the near future to guide treatment and further clinical trials. For more information, please read the IMF press release.

Phase 1/2b Study Of Arno Therapeutics’ Myeloma Drug Candidate AR-42 Treats First Patient – Arno Therapeutics announced treatment of the first patient with AR-42 in a Phase 1/2b study evaluating the drug for the treatment of advanced multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and lymphoma. Researchers will evaluate the drug’s safety, activity, and dosage limits. For more information, please see the Arno Therapeutics press release and the clinical trial description.

NCI Begins Phase 2 Study Of AZD6244 In Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma Patients – The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is launching a Phase 2 trial of AZD6244, a molecule that inhibits biochemical processes important to the survival of myeloma cells. The study is evaluating AZD6244 as a treatment for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. For more information or to participate in the trial, please contact the research nurse for this study, Mary Ann Yancey, at (301) 435-9227 or , or visit the clinical trial Web page.

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Dacetuzumab Shows Some Potential For Multiple Myeloma – Results from a Phase 1 clinical trial show that dacetuzumab (SGN-40), an anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody, has some anti-myeloma effects. The best response observed during the trial was stable disease in 20 percent of patients. The study authors found that doses up to 12 mg/kg per week were well tolerated. Most side effects were mild to moderate and included fatigue, headache, nausea, and anemia. The study authors suggest that dacetuzumab may produce better response rates in combination with other myeloma drugs. Two combination trials (one with Revlimid (lenalidomide) and one with Velcade (bortezomib)) are underway.  For more information, please see the study in The Haematologica Journal (pdf) and the clinical trial descriptions (dacetuzumab with Revlimid or Velcade) .

Myeloma Awareness Month Teleconference Series – Each Friday during the month of March, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will be hosting a teleconference to raise awareness and provide up-to-date information about multiple myeloma. The teleconferences are scheduled for 7 p.m. EST and will include a 60 minute presentation followed by a 30 minute Q&A. Patients, family members, caregivers, and health care professionals are welcome to join. Please see the IMF Web site for more information.

NCI Designs MGUS/Smoldering Myeloma Study – Researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are in the process of developing a prospective study with the goal of identifying causes of transformation from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering myeloma (both asymptomatic, pre-malignant disorders) to multiple myeloma. The study will enroll 350 patients with MGUS or smoldering myeloma in the United States and follow them for up to five years. For more information, please contact the research nurse for this study, Mary Ann Yancey, at (301) 435-9227 or yanceym@mail.nih.gov.

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

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UAMS Receives $19.5 Million Grant For Multiple Myeloma Program – The Myeloma Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will receive $19.5 million over five years from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The grant is the fourth renewal of continuous funding from the NCI and will allow for continued research on myeloma and the development of new treatments. For more information, please visit the UAMS Web site.

MMRF’s Fall Gala Raises Over $1.8 Million For Multiple Myeloma Research – The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) raised more than $1.8 million at its annual Fall Gala. The funds will support myeloma research and the development of new treatments. For more information, please visit the MMRF Web site.

3rd Annual Comedy Celebration – The International Myeloma Foundation’s (IMF) 3rd annual Comedy Celebration will take place on November 7 at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre & Club in Los Angeles. It will benefit the Peter Boyle Memorial Fund and will feature Ray Romano, Jimmey Kimmel, and Bob Saget, along with many others. For more information, please visit the IMF Web site.

World Run Day – On November 8, a 5K run will take place in multiple locations around the world. Among the charities which will receive funds from donations is the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). For more information, please visit the World Run Day Web site.

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