The results of an Italian Phase 3 study show that consolidation therapy with a combination of Velcade, thalidomide, and dexamethasone is more effective in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients than treatment with thalidomide and dexamethasone alone.

Specifically, the three-drug regimen led to higher rates of complete responses, as well as longer progression-free survival, compared to the two-drug regimen.

“Analyses performed in our study demonstrate that VTD [Velcade-thalidomide-dexamethasone] consolidation therapy significantly contributed to improved clinical outcomes,” said lead study investigator Dr. Michele Cavo from the Seragnoli Institute of Hematology in Bologna, Italy.

Preliminary …

A recent study suggests that Mozobil helps multiple myeloma patients with prior exposure to Revlimid collect enough stem cells for transplantation.

The study investigators conclude that stem cell mobilization with the aid of a growth factor plus Mozobil (plerixafor) is an effective upfront approach for multiple myeloma patients who plan to undergo a transplant, regardless of previous Revlimid (lenalidomide) exposure.

“With growth factor and preemptive Mozobil, virtually all patients with multiple myeloma can have successful stem cell collection,” said Dr. Luciano Jose Costa of the Medical University of South Carolina, and …

The results of a recent Phase 1/2 study suggest that a combination of Velcade and melphalan followed by two back-to-back stem cell transplants is active and well-tolerated in multiple myeloma patients who failed to respond to their initial therapy or who have plasma cell leukemia, a highly aggressive form of myeloma.

Although the response and survival rates for this regimen did not improve upon those for previously tested regimens, the study authors contend that further studies of this novel Velcade-melphalan combination should be conducted to better understand the synergistic properties of these …

The results of a small Spanish study indicate that heavy/light chain ratios may be a prognostic marker for myeloma patients.

Specifically, the Spanish researchers found that multiple myeloma patients who experienced elevated heavy/light chain ratios after achieving complete remission following a stem cell transplant had longer progression-free and overall survival rates than patients who did not experience elevated heavy/light chain ratios.

According to the study investigators, these results show for the first time the association between a heavy/light chain ratio and sustained remission in myeloma patients.

However, larger follow-up studies may be …

In a recently published article, two myeloma experts discussed the role of autologous stem cell transplantation as an initial line of therapy in myeloma patients. The debate centered on the limited evidence supporting stem cell transplants in the context of newer, alternative treatment options.

An autologous stem cell transplant is a procedure in which stem cells are collected from a patient prior to high-dose chemotherapy and later re-infused into the body to replace the cells that were destroyed by chemotherapy.

The results of two randomized trials show that patients who underwent stem …

Results of a recent retrospective analysis suggest that donor lymphocyte infusions appear to work better when they are used in patients who have residual multiple myeloma than in those who have relapsed after a donor stem cell transplant.

Donor lymphocyte infusions are considered a preemptive treatment when used in transplant patients with residual disease, and a salvage treatment when used in transplant patients who have relapsed.

“The relapse rate is high with allogeneic (donor) stem cell transplants. Donor lymphocyte infusions can improve outcomes if utilized for residual disease,” said Dr. Amer Beitinjaneh, …

Yesterday was the first day of the American Society of He­ma­tol­ogy (ASH) 2011 annual meeting, which is being held in San Diego.

Although the day featured no oral pre­sen­ta­tions of new myeloma-related re­search, it started with an in­ter­est­ing educational session focused on mul­ti­ple myeloma.

There also were a num­ber of poster pre­sen­ta­tions during the day summarizing im­por­tant new re­search findings.

The educational session in the morn­ing featured three pre­sen­ta­tions by lead­ing myeloma spe­cialists.

Induction Therapy And Maintenance Treatment

The first pre­sen­ta­tion was by Dr. Donna Reece of the Princess Margaret Hospital in …