The survival time of a multiple myeloma patient is strongly dependent on the patient’s age at diagnosis, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The study, which evaluated the impact of age on disease outcome, compared the survival time (from diagnosis) between patients in different age groups and treatment regimens. Researchers also compared the life spans for patients with myeloma versus patients without myeloma.

Following diagnosis with multiple myeloma, the average survival time varies based on the type of treatment that a patient receives. For patients treated …

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology determined that patients who achieved very good partial response (VGPR) or better after high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation experienced significantly longer event-free and overall survival.

“Very good partial response” is one of the terms defined by the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) to categorize how patients respond to treatment. According to IMWG criteria (see related Beacon news), patients reach very good partial response when the level of abnormal “M” proteins in their blood decreases by 90 percent.

Previous studies evaluating …

A study published in BMC Medicine in September 2008 shows that a link between genetic variations and cancer survival can help in treating multiple myeloma patients. Brian Van Ness, a scientist at the University of Minnesota, is the principal investigator of the study and designer of the research project. He collaborated with other scientists throughout the United States and London, United Kingdom.

The main principle behind the research is that there are large genetic variations in the human genome, called polymorphisms. One type of polymorphism called single nucleotide polymorphisms, …