The results of a recent Greek study indicate that kidney impairment is highly reversible in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients treated with regimens containing Velcade, thalidomide, and Revlimid.

Additionally, the Greek researchers found that Velcade (bortezomib)-based treatments were associated with a shorter time to response  and higher rates of restoration of kidney function than thalidomide (Thalomid)- and Revlimid (lenalidomide)-based regimens.

Based on their findings, the researchers recommend that Velcade be used as initial therapy for myeloma patients with kidney impairment.

Dr. Baldeep Wirk of the University of Florida, who …

Dr. Michel Attal from the Purpan Hospital in Toulouse, France, presented a review of current maintenance therapies for multiple myeloma during the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting last month.

The focus of Dr. Attal’s presentation was on whether there is evidence to support the use of the novel anti-myeloma agents thalidomide (Thalo­mid), Revlimid (lenalidomide), and Velcade (bortezomib) as mainte­nance therapy after initial therapy and stem cell transplantation.

Maintenance therapy refers to a prolonged, and often low-dose, form of treatment given to myeloma patients after their initial …

The results of a recent Phase 3 study conducted throughout Europe show that treatment with a combination of Velcade, thalidomide, and dexamethasone leads to superior clinical benefits compared to treatment with thalidomide and dexamethasone alone in multiple myeloma patients who have relapsed or progressed after a stem cell transplant.

Specifically, more patients responded to the three-drug regimen.  In addition, the group of patients treated with the three-drug combination responded longer and did not progress as quickly as those treated with the two-drug combination. However, the three-drug combination led to a higher rate …

The results of a recent Swedish study indicate that the development of blood clots in the veins or arteries of multiple myeloma patients negatively affects survival outcomes.

The study investigators conclude that these findings warrant further studies to determine whether blood clot prevention measures can extend the survival of myeloma patients.

“There are effective ways to prevent venous and arterial thrombosis in myeloma patients; e.g, aspirin, heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and Pradaxa (dabigatran),” said Dr. Edward Libby of the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, who was not involved with the …

Results from a Polish study suggest that a gain in chromosome 1, called 1q21 gain, must be accompanied by other chromosomal abnormalities to negatively affect prognosis in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients on thalidomide therapy.

Based on their findings, the Polish researchers conclude that thalidomide (Thalomid)-based regimens may not help overcome the negative impact of the 1q21 gain on patient survival when multiple chromosomal abnormalities are present.

“The key message [from our study] is that accumulation of adverse genetic abnormalities significantly affects the survival of multiple myeloma patients,” said Dr. Norbert Grzasko, …

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 …

The results of a Greek analysis show that elderly multiple myeloma patients do not respond as well to treatment as their younger counterparts. However, the results also show that novel agents extend the overall survival of elderly myeloma patients compared to conventional chemotherapy.

The Greek researchers point out that their analysis was retrospective in nature and that controlled clinical trials targeting the elderly population are necessary to properly assess their response to novel agents such as Velcade (bortezomib), thalidomide (Thalomid), and Revlimid (lenalidomide).

According to Dr. Ravi Vij of …