Articles tagged with: Smoldering Multiple Myeloma
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Yesterday was the second day of the International Myeloma Workshop (IMW) in Paris. The day was full of presentations from early morning through the evening, and the day concluded with a poster session.
Some of the highlights from Day 2 of the conference are summarized in this article. For more detailed summaries of the day's sessions, see The Beacon’s extensive Day 2 coverage in the Beacon Forums.
Treating Younger, Newly Diagnosed Myeloma Patients
The first session of the morning was about treating newly diagnosed patients under the age of 65 years.
First, Dr. …
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According to a recent study, the bisphosphonate Aredia reduces skeletal-related events, such as bone lesions and bone fractures, in patients with smoldering multiple myeloma; however, it does not prevent disease progression to symptomatic myeloma.
According to the study authors, these findings are consistent with the findings of previous studies that had shorter follow-up times.
Bone disease is frequently associated with multiple myeloma and can cause bone pain and fractures (see related Beacon news). While the symptoms of bone disease can be treated with radiation therapy and surgical procedures, bisphosphonates are currently …
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NCI Initiates Study Of Novel Imaging Techniques To Identify Precursor Stages Of Myeloma – The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is recruiting patients for a study investigating the use of sensitive imaging technologies to identify progression of myeloma precursor diseases. There are currently no diagnostic tests available to determine whether an individual with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or smoldering multiple myeloma will develop multiple myeloma. New and improved imaging techniques may help physicians better detect the progression of these precursor diseases. This trial is recruiting participants with MGUS, smoldering myeloma, or myeloma. For more information, see the clinical trial description. To participate in the trial, please contact the research nurse, Mary Ann Yancey, at (301) 435-9227 or .
Phase 2 Trials Of IPH 2101 Are Recruiting Myeloma And Smoldering Myeloma Patients – Several Phase 2 clinical trials are now recruiting multiple myeloma and smoldering multiple myeloma patients to receive the experimental agent IPH 2101 (anti-KIR). IPH 2101 is an antibody drug being developed by Innate Pharma. It helps activate cells of the immune system to destroy cancer cells. IPH 2101 is being studied in patients with smoldering myeloma to see if it delays and/or prevents progression to multiple myeloma (trial description). It is also being studied in multiple myeloma patients in stable partial response after a first line therapy (trial description) and in combination with Revlimid (lenalidomide) in myeloma patients experiencing their first relapse (trial description). To participate in the smoldering myeloma trial at the National Institutes of Health, please contact the research nurse, Mary Ann Yancey, at (301) 435-9227 or .
Phase 3 Double Transplant Trial Is Currently Recruiting Myeloma Patients – Myeloma patients are now being recruited by the Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey to participate in a Phase 3 trial of tandem stem cell transplants with melphalan (Alkeran) followed by melphalan and Velcade (bortezomib). The purpose of this trial is to determine if the addition of Velcade to the second transplant will increase remission times. For more information, please see the clinical trial description.
Opinion»
Until 2009, it was generally accepted that monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering multiple myeloma, and multiple myeloma were three distinctly separate diseases.
If MGUS was accidentally discovered during a patient’s routine medical testing, the patient was often advised to ignore the abnormal test results for the foreseeable future. Most clinical settings encouraged only infrequent routine monitoring, since both MGUS and smoldering myeloma conditions were considered distinct diseases with a small probability of the patient developing multiple myeloma. Often the patient’s personal primary care physician provided any follow-up periodic monitoring.
2009 …
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The 10-year follow-up results of a Phase 2 trial suggest that thalidomide increases the median time to disease progression in smoldering multiple myeloma patients who respond to treatment.
However, researchers also observed an increased rate of side effects compared to earlier results. They therefore do not recommend the use of thalidomide in smoldering myeloma patients.
Approximately 10 to 15 percent of all myeloma patients have smoldering myeloma, a slow-growing form of the disease that often appears without symptoms. Approximately 73 percent of patients with smoldering myeloma develop active myeloma within 15 years …
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The International Myeloma Working Group, a group of top myeloma doctors, recently published a report identifying risk factors for disease progression in patients with the multiple myeloma precursor diseases, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and smoldering myeloma. In addition, the myeloma experts established guidelines for the monitoring and management of these two conditions. This article, Part 2 in a series, covers the results for smoldering myeloma. Part 1 covers the results for myeloma monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.
The International Myeloma Working Group identified the following risk factors for patients with …
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The International Myeloma Working Group, a group of top myeloma doctors, recently published a report identifying risk factors for disease progression in patients with the multiple myeloma precursor diseases, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and smoldering myeloma. In addition, the myeloma experts established guidelines for the monitoring and management of these two conditions. This article, Part 1 in a series, covers the results for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Part 2 will cover the results for smoldering myeloma.
The International Myeloma Working Group identified the following risk factors for patients with …