French researchers recently determined that the chromosomal abnor­mal­i­ties t(4;14) and del(13) are less common in older newly diagnosed myeloma pa­tients than in younger patients.

In contrast, the del(17p) abnormality was found to occur with a similar frequency across myeloma patients of all ages.

The researchers also found that the t(4;14) and del(17p) abnormalities have the same prognostic value in older patients as in younger patients.

Specifically, older patients with t(4;14) and del(17p) had shorter pro­gres­sion-free and overall survival com­pared to patients without those chro­mo­som­al abnormalities.

The del(13) abnormality, on the other hand, …

This year’s annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) came to an end yesterday in Chicago.

Monday was the busiest day with regard to myeloma-related research. The day started with an oral presentation session that in­cluded eight talks about im­por­tant new myeloma-related research. A poster session in the afternoon in­cluded several posters about myeloma-related research.

This article summarizes the most im­por­tant findings from Monday's oral pre­sen­ta­tion session. A later article will cover the findings from the after­noon poster session.

The content in our daily updates is based on the …

A subgroup analysis of recent Phase 1/2 clinical trial results shows that Kyprolis in com­bi­na­tion with Revlimid and low-dose dexa­meth­a­sone is effective and well tolerated in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients over the age of 65.

All of the evaluated patients responded to treat­ment, with 83 per­cent of patients reaching at least a near complete response.

According to Dr. Andrzei Jakubowiak of the University of Chicago Medical Center, who presented the findings earlier this month at the Inter­na­tional Myeloma Workshop (IMW) in Kyoto, Japan, the response rates compare favorably to the best …

A team of European researchers recently found that advanced age, kidney failure, infections, heart and gastrointestinal complications, and drug discontinuation are associated with poor survival among elderly myeloma patients.

The results are from a combined analysis of data from four major Euro­pean clinical trials.  All the trials involved elderly multiple myeloma patients treated with either conventional anti-myeloma agents or combi­na­tions of conventional and novel agents.

The study also found that intensive anti-myeloma treatment regimens – that is, regimens combining conventional agents with more than one novel agent – may be counterproductive in …

Results from an Italian Phase 1/2 trial show that a combination therapy consisting of lower doses of Velcade, melphalan, and prednisone may be an effective and safe salvage therapy for older multiple myeloma patients.

Over half of the patients in the trial responded to the treatment, and according to the study investigators, the treatment was well tolerated, making it a viable treatment option for older myeloma patients.

In Europe, the combination treatment of Velcade (bortezomib), melphalan (Alkeran), and prednisone – commonly referred to as VMP – is often given as initial therapy to …

Results of a recent Spanish study suggest that elderly multiple myeloma patients who receive Velcade plus thalidomide or Velcade plus pred­nisone as maintenance therapy achieve deeper responses following initial therapy with Velcade-based treatment regimens.

In addition, elderly myeloma patients who receive Velcade plus thalido­mide as maintenance therapy may achieve better treatment outcomes and longer survival rates than patients who receive Velcade plus pred­nisone as maintenance therapy.

“In our trial, VT [Velcade plus thalidomide] was slightly superior to VP [Velcade plus prednisone] in response rate and outcome, but the dif­ferences didn't reach statistical …

Results from a recent retrospective study con­firm that treat­ment with a com­bi­na­tion of Revlimid and dexa­meth­a­sone slows disease pro­gres­sion and im­proves survival in elderly patients with re­lapsed or refractory myeloma.

However, findings from the study also indicate that certain side effects, such as anemia and blood clots, occurred more frequently in elderly patients.

Novel agents such as Revlimid (lena­lido­mide), thalidomide (Thalomid), and Velcade (bor­tez­o­mib) are commonly used to treat re­lapsed and refractory myeloma.

A pre­vi­ous study found that Revlimid in com­bi­na­tion with dexamethasone (Decadron) is effective in patients …