One of the key presentations during the recent American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in New Orleans was one that summarized initial results of a large international Phase 3 clinical trial known as the "FIRST", or MM-020, trial.

The trial results show that continuous administration of Revlimid and dex­a­meth­a­sone improves response rates as well as progression-free and overall survival in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients who are older or not eligible for stem cell transplantation.

Specifically, the researchers found that the overall response rate was highest (75 percent) among patients who received …

Results from a recent retrospective analysis conducted in Germany indicate that the com­bi­na­tion of Velcade plus Treanda and pred­ni­sone is effective for re­lapsed and refractory multiple myeloma pa­tients with kidney im­pair­ment.

Specifically, 67 percent of pa­tients responded to the treatment, and kidney func­tion improved in 86 percent of pa­tients. The study investigators point out that the responses were rapid, with a median time to response of three weeks.  With a median progression-free survival of 10 months, some pa­tients experienced a long-term treatment-free interval.

Most of the severe side effects of the com­bi­na­tion …

Results from a recent Italian Phase 1/2 clinical trial indicate that the com­bi­na­tion of Pomalyst, cyclo­phos­pha­mide, and prednisone is effective and safe in re­lapsed and re­frac­to­ry multiple myeloma patients.

Overall, 51 percent of patients in the trial responded to the treat­ment, and the me­di­an pro­gres­sion-free survival time was 10.4 months. The me­di­an overall survival had not been reached yet; however, 69 percent of patients were alive one year after starting treat­ment.

The study participants had previously been treated with a me­di­an of three prior therapies, and all had re­ceived prior treatment with 

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 German study suggest that a combination of Revlimid, Treanda and prednisone is active and well tolerated in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Findings from the Phase 1 trial were presented at the 17^th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in Amsterdam last month.

A previous Phase 1 study showed that Treanda (bendamustine), in combination with Revlimid (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone (Decadron), is well tolerated and highly active in patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma (see related Beacon news).

Treanda, which already is …

Results of a small German study indicate that the combination regimen of Velcade, Treanda, and prednisone is effective and well tolerated in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients with kidney impairment.

The majority of patients showed improved kidney function after treatment. The study investigators point out that patients responded rapidly, which may have prevented the development of irreversible kidney failure.

Based on their findings, the investigators recommend that the combination therapy be investigated further in larger clinical trials.

Impaired kidney function is a severe complication of multiple myeloma and affects 20 percent to …