The results of a Greek analysis show that elderly multiple myeloma patients do not respond as well to treatment as their younger counterparts. However, the results also show that novel agents extend the overall survival of elderly myeloma patients compared to conventional chemotherapy.

The Greek researchers point out that their analysis was retrospective in nature and that controlled clinical trials targeting the elderly population are necessary to properly assess their response to novel agents such as Velcade (bortezomib), thalidomide (Thalomid), and Revlimid (lenalidomide).

According to Dr. Ravi Vij of …

Results of a small French study support previous findings that Revlimid in combination with dexamethasone is effective in elderly patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.

Importantly, the researchers found that almost a third of responding patients could remain on therapy following dose adjustments, which, according to the researchers, highlights “the need for a personalized therapeutic approach according to patient age and vulnerability.” 

Revlimid (lenalidomide) in combination with dexamethasone (Decadron) is a standard therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.  Patients are typically prescribed a starting dose of 25 mg of Revlimid, in …

A recent report published by a group of multiple myeloma experts in Europe recommends individualized treatment strategies for elderly myeloma patients based on their physical health.

Specifically, the authors suggest that physicians evaluate the age and physical condition of elderly myeloma patients prior to therapy in order to create well-tolerated regimens that would optimize treatment outcomes.

According to Dr. Antonio Palumbo, from the University of Torino in Italy and the lead author of the report, tailored therapies are important for elderly myeloma patients because these patients often cannot tolerate the same treatments …

European myeloma experts recently developed guidelines for the appropriate management of side effects associated with novel agent therapy for older multiple myeloma patients. This article, Part 4 in the series, covers the experts’ recommendations on novel agent use in specific patient populations.

In general, the European experts recommended that older patients with other diseases see a specialist for that specific disease before starting treatment with the novel agents Velcade (bortezomib), thalidomide (Thalomid), and Revlimid (lenalidomide) as well as once treatment has started to assess the impact of treatment on …

European myeloma experts recently developed guidelines for the appropriate management of side effects associated with novel agent therapy for older multiple myeloma patients. This article, Part 3 in a series, summarizes the guidelines for the management of Revlimid-related side effects. Part 1 describes the guidelines for the management of Velcade-related side effects, Part 2 summarizes the guidelines for thalidomide-related side effects, and Part 4 covers the European experts’ recommendations on novel agent use in specific patient populations.

Management Of Revlimid-Related Side Effects

Low Platelet Counts: 

Patients treated with

European myeloma experts recently developed guidelines for the appropriate management of side effects associated with novel agent therapy for older multiple myeloma patients. This article, Part 2 in a series, summarizes the guidelines for the management of thalidomide-related side effects. Part 1 describes the guidelines for the management of Velcade-related side effects, Part 3 summarizes the guidelines for the management of Revlimid-related side effects, and Part 4 summarizes recommendations on novel agent use in specific patient populations.

Management Of Thalidomide-Related Side Effects

Low Platelet Counts: 

Patients treated with thalidomide (Thalomid) commonly …

European myeloma experts recently developed guidelines for the appropriate management of side effects associated with novel agent therapy for older multiple myeloma patients. This article, Part 1 in a series, summarizes the guidelines for the management of Velcade-related side effects. Part 2 summarizes the European experts’ guidelines for the management of thalidomide-related side effects, Part 3 summarizes the guidelines for the management of Revlimid-related side effects, and Part 4 summarizes recommendations on novel agent use in specific patient populations.

The novel agents Velcade (bortezomib), thalidomide (Thalomid), and