Articles tagged with: Thalidomide
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A combination regimen of Velcade (bortezomib), Doxil (pegylated liposomal doxorubicin), and dexamethasone (Decadron), known as the VDD regimen, followed by Revlimid (lenalidomide) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is an effective therapy for untreated multiple myeloma patients, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Velcade is a highly active therapeutic agent in multiple myeloma patients. It suppresses tumor growth by inhibiting the enzymes that break down critical proteins in cancerous cells. Although Velcade is approved as a single agent, previous studies have suggested …
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Panobinostat In Combination With Velcade Shows Potential For Relapsed Multiple Myeloma (ASH 2009) – Researchers presented results at the American Society of Hematology Meeting (ASH) from a Phase 1 clinical trial that show that oral panobinostat (Farydak, LBH589) in combination with intravenous Velcade (bortezomib) has anti-myeloma effects. Researchers tested different doses of both panobinostat (10 mg to 30 mg) and Velcade (1.0 mg/m2 to 1.3 mg/m2). They found frequent blood-related adverse events, such as thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count) and neutropenia (low white blood cell count). They concluded that dosing will be modified for future Phase 2/3 studies. For more information, please see abstract 3852 on the ASH meeting Web site.
Afinitor Is Safe In Relapsed And Refractory Multiple Myeloma; Drug Will Move To Phase 2 Clinical Trials (ASH 2009) – Afinitor (everolimus) is safe in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, according to preliminary results from a Phase 1/2 clinical trial presented at the 2009 Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). Afinitor was given orally at 5 mg to 10 mg daily. Researchers observed only one case of thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). A sufficient amount of anti-myeloma activity was observed for this drug to continue to Phase 2 testing, which puts more emphasis on the efficacy of the drug. For more information, see abstract 3850 on the ASH annual meeting Web site.
ACE-011 Increases Hemoglobin And Helps Build Bone In Multiple Myeloma Patients Receiving Chemotherapy (ASH 2009) – Preliminary results from a study presented at the 2009 Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) reveal that ACE-011 (sotatercept) increases hemoglobin (an iron-rich protein in red blood cells) and bone formation, decreases bone pain, and has anti-tumor activity in multiple myeloma patients receiving chemotherapy. A low hemoglobin count indicates a low red blood cell count (anemia), which is a common complication in multiple myeloma, as are bone lesions, and bone pain. All participants were on a regimen of melphalan (Alkeran), prednisone, and thalidomide (Thalomid). For more information, see abstract 749 on the ASH meeting Web site.
Researchers Demonstrate Feasibility And Safety Of Vaccine In Multiple Myeloma (ASH 2009) – Preliminary results from a Phase 1 clinical trial of a multiple myeloma vaccine, presented at the 2009 Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), indicate that using a vaccine in multiple myeloma is possible and that it is safe and tolerable. The study included 15 patients who had undergone peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation – a treatment in which stem cells are collected from the bloodstream of a healthy donor and delivered to the myeloma patient after high-dose chemotherapy. The most frequent side effects were local skin reactions, typical of most vaccines. Further studies will evaluate the vaccine’s full potential. For more information, see abstract 1858 on the ASH meeting Web site.
For more information about myeloma-related studies covered at ASH, please see the Myeloma Beacon coverage of the ASH 2009 Meeting.
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The findings of a new study suggest that a combination regimen of Velcade (bortezomib), thalidomide (Thalomid), and prednisone, abbreviated as VTP, is as effective as the standard combination of Velcade, melphalan (Alkeran), and prednisone, abbreviated as VMP, in the treatment of elderly patients with multiple myeloma. The trial also discovered that the addition of maintenance therapy led to increased response rates. Researchers presented their Phase 3 study results at the American Society of Hematology’s (ASH) 51st annual meeting in December.
While VMP without maintenance therapy currently is one …
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A recent study compared out-of-pocket costs for multiple myeloma patients in the United States being treated with Velcade (bortezomib), Revlimid (lenalidomide), thalidomide (Thalomid), or another chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The results were presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Meeting on December 5.
This study looked at approximately 1,900 multiple myeloma patients who filed claims with a national health insurance company. Researchers looked at out-of-pocket costs for each patient for a period of one year after the start of a new course of treatment.
For the 1,900 patients, …
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A recent study published in the journal Blood suggests that treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma with Revlimid (lenalidomide) plus dexamethasone (Decadron) may be more effective and better tolerated than the approved thalidomide (Thalomid) plus dexamethasone regimen commonly used in newly diagnosed patients.
Both Revlimid and thalidomide are considered immunomodulatory agents. This means that they work by having an affect on the immune system. Specifically, these drugs are believed to encourage a patient’s immune system to attack and destroy myeloma cells.
Thalidomide was originally developed in the …
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Multiple myeloma patients on various thalidomide (Thalomid) combination regimens may develop infections despite preventative drug measures, according to a data analysis performed by Italian researchers. The analysis also identified which factors increase a patient’s likelihood of experiencing severe infection. Researchers presented the results on December 6 at the 51st annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in New Orleans.
In the process of treating multiple myeloma, patients often experience a weakening in their immune system which makes them more susceptible to infection. Serious infections can lower a patient’s quality …
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At the recent American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting, there were several presentations comparing a drug regimen of Velcade (bortezomib), thalidomide (Thalomid), and dexamethasone (Decadron), abbreviated as VTD, with a drug regimen of thalidomide and dexamethasone, abbreviated as TD, in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.
Update: VTD Versus TD With Double Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation
One of the ASH presentations showed that the addition of Velcade to a thalidomide-dexamethasone regimen and double autologous stem cell transplantation significantly improves the response rate in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma …
