Articles tagged with: Stem Cell Transplant
Opinion»
One week ago, I learned that the autologous stem cell transplant I endured this summer at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, has most likely failed.
What do I mean by “failed?” I entered the hospital with a monoclonal protein (M-spike) reading of 0.2. There was also no trace of myeloma in my bone marrow. Now--100 days later--my M-spike is an alarming 0.5.
My wife Pattie and my doctors were stunned. What percentage of auto transplant patients with extremely low tumor burdens like mine have higher M-protein levels 100 days post-transplant than …
News»
Results of a recent study show that multiple myeloma patients who relapse after pomalidomide therapy may benefit from certain salvage therapies, including Velcade, Revlimid, and stem cell transplantation.
Furthermore, patients who received a stem cell transplant after relapse achieved the highest response rate among all patients who received salvage therapy. The results also suggest that Revlimid retains its activity in patients who relapse after pomalidomide therapy.
“[The study] gives a sense of what therapies still continue to have activity [after patients relapse on pomalidomide],” said Dr. Shaji Kumar of the Mayo Clinic …
News»
Results of a recent Swiss study show that multiple myeloma patients who have a high level of stem cells in the blood prior to stem cell transplantation have longer progression-free and overall survival times than patients who have fewer stem cells.
Based on these findings, the study authors recommended that physicians consider the number of stem cells in the blood of myeloma patients when determining their prognoses and developing appropriate post-transplant therapies.
“We feel that [the level of stem cells] is first a novel prognostic marker. Second, we think that it may …
News»
Danish researchers recently found that patients who underwent stem cell transplantation frequently experienced sexual dysfunction, sometimes for extended periods of time after transplantation. Patients who experienced reduced sexual function also reported lower quality of life.
Given the frequency of sexual dysfunction in these patients, the researchers concluded that there is a strong need for treatment studies in this area.
“Sexuality and sexual function is a quality of life variable that is in particular need of further research and attention in the clinical setting,” said Dr. Kristina Thygesen of Rigshospitalet University in Copenhagen, …
News»
Results of a recent small German study show that stem cell transplantation as salvage therapy is most effective in patients who had a long remission duration after a previous transplant.
Specifically, results of the study show that patients who relapsed 12 months or later after their last transplant had significantly longer progression-free and overall survival times after salvage transplantation than patients who relapsed within 12 months.
According to the study authors, patients who relapse within 12 months of a previous transplant do not benefit from this form of salvage therapy.
Based on …
NewsFlash »
Reduced-Dose Velcade-Thalidomide-Dexamethasone Is Effective For Newly Diagnosed Myeloma – Recently published results from a French study show that the combination of reduced-dose Velcade (bortezomib) and thalidomide (Thalomid) plus dexamethasone (Decadron) is safer and more effective than standard-dose Velcade plus dexamethasone for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. The results were previously presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in June 2010. Results showed that after four cycles of therapy, patients who received the reduced-dose three-drug combination had a significantly higher response rate and experienced fewer side effects than patients receiving the standard-dose regimen. The same group of patients continued to have a higher response rate after stem cell transplantation. For a more detailed summary of the results, please see the Beacon’s coverage of the ASCO presentation or the study in the journal Blood (abstract).
Phase 3 Clinical Trial Investigating The Need For Stem Cell Transplantation Is Recruiting Myeloma Patients – Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients under the age of 65 years are being recruited at various cancer centers across the United States for a Phase 3 clinical trial that will investigate whether stem cell transplants are necessary in the era of novel agents. All participants will be treated with a combination of Revlimid (lenalidomide), Velcade, and dexamethasone. Half of the patients will then also receive a stem cell transplant. Based on the results, researchers will determine whether stem cell transplantation significantly extends progression-free survival. For more information or to enroll, please see the clinical trial description.
Teleconference On Clinical Trial Participation – On Thursday, the International Myeloma Foundation will sponsor a teleconference about the importance of participating in clinical trials. Dr. Brian Durie, a myeloma specialist at Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center, will discuss the Phase 3 clinical trial comparing carfilzomib-Revlimid-dexamethasone and Revlimid-dexamethasone alone. The call will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. PT. For more information, please see the International Myeloma Foundation website.
For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
News»
Long-term follow-up results of a European study indicate that an autologous stem cell transplant followed by a “mini” donor stem cell transplant may be more effective than one or two autologous stem cell transplants in multiple myeloma patients.
“The results show that [“mini”] donor stem cell transplantation was superior to autologous stem cell transplantation concerning relapse rates and long-term progression-free survival and overall survival,” said Dr. Gösta Gahrton of the Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden and one of the study authors.
“The results have strengthened the role of this type of treatment …