Articles tagged with: Peripheral Neuropathy
Opinion»
Neuropathy has been a feature of my myeloma “experiences” for many years. Even long before I was diagnosed, I had neuropathy. It mostly affected my hands and feet, but it could affect other areas of my body as well.
It drove me crazy, and from time to time I tried to find out what was causing it. I had no success at all in my quest. I even once went as far as insisting that I see a neurologist. He did some tests to rule out certain conditions, but he didn’t give …
News»
Good morning, myeloma world.
It's a Sunday, so it probably won't be too much of a surprise that today's list of new multiple myeloma-related research is rather short.
In fact, a quick check of our usual list of new multiple myeloma research – which we include at the end of every edition of Myeloma Morning – reveals that there are just three new studies.
We'll spend most of our time in today's report looking at a European study published on Friday. It investigates the genetics of peripheral neuropathy in …
Opinion»
As I wrestle with the early treatment phase of this disease, it is my hope that by sharing my experiences I can provide some valuable insights to readers who are newly diagnosed and beginning treatment.
But before sharing in this column what I have been through as I finish the fifth cycle of treatment, I have two confessions to make.
First, treatment is tough, really tough -- far tougher than I ever imagined it would be. My approach to treatment was naively ignorant despite warnings from my doctor and all that I …
NewsFlash »
Patients With Periodontitis May Be At Increased Risk For Developing Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw – Results from a small Australian trial suggest that multiple myeloma patients who receive bisphosphonates and experience periodontitis (inflammation or bleeding in their gums) may be at an increased risk for developing osteonecrosis of the jaw. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a condition that is associated with a loss of blood supply to the jaw, causing the jawbone tissue to die. It can occur in multiple myeloma patients during treatment with bisphosphonates, such as Aredia (pamidronate) and Zometa (zoledronic acid). Specifically, the researchers found that patients with at least one spot in their gums with periodontitis with a depth greater than 4 mm were at a particularly high risk of developing jawbone disease. For more information, please refer to the study in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (abstract).
Blood Test May Predict Velcade-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy – Findings from a prospective Japanese trial involving more than 60 patients indicate that a blood test may be able to predict whether a multiple myeloma patient will develop peripheral neuropathy (pain, tingling, and loss of sensation in the extremities) when treated with Velcade (bortezomib). The Japanese researchers took samples of each trial participant's blood before the patients started treatment with Velcade. The cells in the blood samples were then stimulated to see how much they started to produce certain immune system proteins. The investigators found that, when stimulated, the blood from patients who did not develop peripheral neuropathy during Velcade treatment was significantly more likely to start producing the protein interleukin 2 (IL-2) than the blood from patients who developed peripheral neuropathy. IL-2 stimulates the production of certain types of white blood cells, known as lymphocytes, which defend the body against infections and other threats. Based on their results, the researchers recommend that the blood test they used be validated in additional studies with larger numbers of patients. For more information, please refer to the article in the Blood Cancer Journal (full text, open access).
Phase 2 Trial To Study LCL161 In Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients – The Mayo Clinic will soon be opening for enrollment a Phase 2 trial of the investigational compound LCL161, alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients. LCL161, which is being developed by the pharmaceutical company Novartis, works by binding to, and thereby neutralizing, inhibitor apoptosis proteins (IAPs), which shield cancer cells from cell death. The compound is also being investigated as a treatment for a number of different solid-tumor cancers. For more information on the trial, please see the clinical trial description.
News»
This year’s Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) is currently being held in Stockholm. It started earlier this week and will run through Sunday, June 16.
A substantial amount of myeloma-related research will be presented during the EHA meeting during both oral presentations and poster presentations.
This article summarizes some of the important myeloma-related findings that are expected to be presented during poster sessions today and tomorrow. A previous article covered the key findings that will be presented during oral presentations.
The studies covered in this article are primarily ones …
NewsFlash »
Velcade-Thalidomide-Dexamethasone Combination May Be Effective After A Stem Cell Transplant In Multiple Myeloma Patients – Results from a French study show that the combination of Velcade (bortezomib), thalidomide (Thalomid), and dexamethasone (Decadron), commonly referred to as VTD, may improve response rates in multiple myeloma patients after stem cell transplantation. The complete response rate for patients who received VTD as a consolidation therapy (52 percent) was significantly higher than the rate for patients who received a placebo (30 percent). The time to progression was also longer in patients who received VTD (62 percent), compared to those who received a placebo (29 percent). All patients had also received VTD as induction therapy prior to stem cell transplantation. For more information, please refer to the letter in the journal Leukemia (abstract).
Revlimid May Not Worsen Pre-Existing Peripheral Neuropathy In Relapsed Or Refractory Myeloma Patients – Results from an Italian study indicate that Revlimid (lenalidomide) does not worsen pre-existing peripheral neuropathy (pain, tingling, and loss of sensation in the extremities due to nerve damage) in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients. The investigators administered Revlimid and dexamethasone to 30 patients who had previously received Velcade or thalidomide. After 12 months of Revlimid therapy, peripheral neuropathy did not worsen in patients with pre-existing peripheral neuropathy and did not develop in any of the patients without pre-existing neuropathy. Based on these results, the investigators recommend longer follow-up studies to confirm Revlimid’s safety in patients with pre-existing peripheral neuropathy. For more information, please see the study in the Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System (abstract).
Heavy/Light Chain Assay May More Effectively Measure M-Protein Levels In Myeloma Patients – Findings from a European study indicate that the heavy/light chain (HLC) assay can be used as an effective prognostic test in patients with multiple myeloma. The investigators found that the HLC assay was better at identifying monoclonal (M) protein levels than other conventional tests, such as serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis. In addition, the investigators found that the HLC assay was not only more accurate, but could also detect subtle changes in patients with very low M-protein levels. The investigators note that results from the HLC assay and the free light chain (FLC) assay were generally in agreement, but both tests are needed to exclude the presence of residual disease. For more information, please refer to the study in Leukemia (subscription required).
NewsFlash »
FDA Puts Daratumumab On Fast Track For Treatment Of Multiple Myeloma – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week granted fast track designation to the investigational drug daratumumab. The fast track designation accelerates the development and review process for drugs intended to treat serious or life-threatening illnesses. Daratumumab is being developed by the Danish biotechnology company Genmab together with Janssen Biotech, a Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) subsidiary. It is a monoclonal antibody, like elotuzumab and siltuximab, that signals the immune system to kill myeloma cells. Results from a phase 1/2 clinical trial indicated that daratumumab is effective in heavily pretreated myeloma patients (see related Beacon news). For more information, please see the Genmab press release.
Mayo Clinic Researchers Update Guidelines For Treatment Of Newly Diagnosed Myeloma – Researchers from the Mayo Clinic have updated their guidelines for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. The guidelines, called The Mayo Stratification of Myeloma and Risk-Adapted Therapy (mSMART), were first developed in 2007 and last updated in 2009. Based on research findings released since 2009, the researchers have added six major updates to the previous version of mSMART. One significant update was the addition of an intermediate-risk classification to the existing high-risk and standard-risk classifications. The researchers also note that there may be more benefit to delaying stem cell transplants in myeloma patients, due to improved induction therapies and stem cell collection procedures. The updated guidelines also recommend that maintenance therapy be considered, but not mandated, as a treatment option for patients who have undergone a stem cell transplant. For more information, please see the 2013 mSMART Guidelines.
Sensory Deficits Prior To Treatment May Predict Risk Of Peripheral Neuropathy In Myeloma Patients – Results from a recent study indicate that preexisting sensory deficits in multiple myeloma patients increase a patient’s risk of developing peripheral neuropathy (pain, tingling, and loss of sensation in the extremities due to nerve damage) following treatment for myeloma. Specifically, the researchers found that patients with sensory deficits before the start of treatment were at a higher risk of developing treatment-induced peripheral neuropathy. Treatment-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common complication for myeloma patients who undergo treatment with Velcade (bortezomib) or thalidomide (Thalomid). The researchers believe that testing of nerve function prior to treatment may be able to identify patients at high risk of developing treatment-induced peripheral neuropathy. For more information, please refer to the study in Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology (abstract).
Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Of Elotuzumab Plus Revlimid, Velcade, And Dexamethasone In Newly Diagnosed High-Risk Myeloma Patients Has Launched – The Southwest Oncology Group, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb, has started a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of elotuzumab in combination with Velcade, Revlimid (lenalidomide), and dexamethasone (Decadron). The study is open to newly diagnosed high-risk myeloma patients. Elotuzumab, which is being developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), is a monoclonal antibody that stimulates the immune system to destroy myeloma cells. Previous studies have shown that it is effective in relapsed and refractory myeloma patients, particularly when used in combination with Revlimid and dexamethasone (see related Beacon news). About half the patients in the new trial will be treated with Velcade, Revlimid, and dexamethasone alone. The other half will receive the same three drugs plus elotuzumab. For more information about the study, including how to enroll, please see the clinical trial description.