Articles tagged with: Velcade
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Myeloma Patients May Be At Higher Risk For Restless Legs Syndrome – Results from a recent Turkish study show that restless legs syndrome occurs more frequently in multiple myeloma patients than in healthy adults. Restless legs syndrome is a condition characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move them, often leading to sleep deprivation. In this study, 18 percent of myeloma patients had restless legs syndrome, compared to 3 percent in the healthy population. Multiple myeloma patients with restless legs syndrome had higher levels of depression and anxiety and a poorer quality of life compared to those without the condition. The researchers conclude that targeting restless legs syndrome may improve overall health outcomes in myeloma patients. For more information, please see the study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research (abstract).
Ibrutinib Enhances Anti-Myeloma Activity Of Velcade And Revlimid – Results from a recent preclinical study show that ibrutinib (PCI-32765) may enhance the activity of Velcade (bortezomib) plus Revlimid (lenalidomide). Ibrutinib, which is being developed by biotech company Pharmacyclics in cooperation with Johnson & Johnson, blocks a protein called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk). Btk is found in antibody-producing cells and in cells that break down bone tissue. Ibrutinib is currently being investigated as a potential treatment for a number of different blood cancers, including multiple myeloma. The study researchers believe their data warrants further investigation of ibrutinib as part of a combination drug therapy for multiple myeloma. For more information, please see the study in Cellular Signalling (abstract).
Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial To Study PRLX 93936 In Relapsed And Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients – Prolexys Pharmaceuticals is starting a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of PRLX 93936 in relapsed and refractory myeloma patients. PRLX 93936 is a small-molecule anti-cancer treatment that targets the RAS protein. Specifically, researchers are seeking to determine patient response to and the maximum tolerated dose of PRLX 93936. Patients must have received two or more prior treatment regimens, including a proteasome inhibitor (such as Velcade) and/or an immunomodulatory agent (such as Revlimid) to be eligible for the study. For more information, please see the clinical trial description.
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Results from a small, retrospective study indicate that combination therapy with Velcade, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone may be effective in newly diagnosed myeloma patients with kidney damage.
The findings, discussed in a letter to the editor of the European Journal of Haematology, show that kidney impairment did not worsen in any patients who received the three-drug treatment.
The study investigators also note that side effects were manageable, but recommend further research of the three-drug therapy to determine its safety as a long-term treatment option.
Kidney impairment is a common myeloma-related complication. It is …
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GF-15 May Prevent Myeloma Growth By Disrupting Cell Division – Results from a recent German preclinical study show that the compound GF–15 disrupts the division of myeloma cells and triggers their death. Specifically, GF–15 kills myeloma cells by preventing centrosomal clustering, a technique used by cancerous cells to divide correctly. The German researchers found that GF-15 was effective in 30 percent of bone marrow samples from relapsed myeloma patients. They also found that GF–15, in combination with melphalan (Alkeran), was significantly less toxic in mice than a GF-15 plus Velcade (bortezomib). The researchers conclude that their findings support further development of the drug in clinical trials. For more information, please see the study in Cancer Research (abstract).
Linsitinib May Help Overcome Velcade Resistance In Multiple Myeloma – A recent preclinical study found that the investigational treatment linsitinib (ASP7487, OSI-906), which is being developed Japanese pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma, may help overcome Velcade resistance in multiple myeloma. Linsitinib is a protein that triggers cancer cell death by inhibiting insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 is found on the surface of human cells and has been linked to Velcade-resistance. Specifically, the researchers found that linsitinib acted synergistically with Velcade and killed 47 percent of Velcade-resistant myeloma cells. The investigators believe their findings provide a rationale for studying linsitinib together with Velcade in clinical trials. A Phase 1/2 trial of linsitinib in combination with Velcade and dexamethasone in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients is starting at the University Health Network of Toronto (see related Beacon news). For more information, please see the study in the journal Blood (abstract).
Patrys To Start Phase 1/2 Trial Of PAT-SM6 In Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma – The Australian biopharmaceutical company Patrys announced last week that it will be starting a Phase 1/2 trial of its investigational drug PAT-SM6 in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients in Germany. PAT-SM6 is a human antibody that has shown promising activity in preclinical studies in a variety of cancers, including melanoma, breast, colon and pancreatic cancer as well as multiple myeloma. The trial will start at the University Hospital of Wuerzbug, lead by myeloma expert Professor Herman Einsele. For more information, please the Patrys press release.
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Results from a retrospective Canadian study indicate that combination therapy with Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone is effective for certain heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients. The findings show that nearly 50 percent of patients with advanced myeloma respond to the three-drug therapy.
The study investigators point out that although most patients with advanced myeloma progress quickly after therapy with Revlimid (lenalidomide), Velcade (bortezomib), and dexamethasone (Decadron), particularly those with high-risk myeloma, some patients experience a “considerable benefit.”
They also note that side effects in this heavily pretreated patient population are …
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Results from a Spanish Phase 3 clinical trial suggest that initial treatment with a combination of Velcade, thalidomide, and dexamethasone may lead to better responses before and after stem cell transplantation, as compared to treatment with thalidomide and dexamethasone alone. In addition, treatment with the three-drug combination increases progression-free survival time.
The study investigators concluded that their findings support the use of a combination of Velcade (bortezomib), thalidomide (Thalomid), and dexamethasone (Decadron), often referred to as VTD, as initial treatment in newly diagnosed myeloma patients who are eligible for …
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Results of a recent Spanish study suggest that elderly multiple myeloma patients who receive Velcade plus thalidomide or Velcade plus prednisone as maintenance therapy achieve deeper responses following initial therapy with Velcade-based treatment regimens.
In addition, elderly myeloma patients who receive Velcade plus thalidomide as maintenance therapy may achieve better treatment outcomes and longer survival rates than patients who receive Velcade plus prednisone as maintenance therapy.
“In our trial, VT [Velcade plus thalidomide] was slightly superior to VP [Velcade plus prednisone] in response rate and outcome, but the differences didn't reach statistical …
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ALT-801 Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Is Enrolling Relapsed Or Refractory Myeloma Patients - The Florida-based biopharmaceutical company Altor Bioscience has started a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of its investigational drug ALT-801. The trial is being conducted at the University of Iowa and is recruiting myeloma patients who have had at least two previous treatment regimens. ALT-801 is a protein that triggers immune cells to attack cancer cells. The drug also is being explored as a potential treatment for melanoma and bladder cancer. For more information, see the clinical trial description and information about ALT-801 at the Altor website.
Study Supports Use Of Once-Weekly Velcade – Results from a recent retrospective Chinese study support previous findings that once-weekly Velcade (bortezomib) is similar to twice-weekly Velcade in terms of efficacy and safety. Similar results were first found in 2010 during a study of Velcade in combination with melphalan (Alkeran), prednisone, and thalidomide (Thalomid). The results from that study showed that once-weekly Velcade was as effective as twice-weekly Velcade and that patients who received Velcade once a week experienced fewer side effects, especially peripheral neuropathy (pain, tingling, or loss of sensation in the extremities), a common side effect of Velcade (see related Beacon news). The current study found that overall response rates were similar for patients treated with once-weekly (77 percent) or twice-weekly Velcade (75 percent) in combination with dexamethasone (Decadron). In addition, the median progression-free survival was similar in both groups (8 months versus 10 months, respectively). Side effects were more common among patients treated twice a week; however, the differences were not statistically significant. In particular, 31 percent of patients treated with once-weekly Velcade developed neuropathy as compared to 50 percent of patients treated with twice-weekly Velcade. For more information, please see the study in the Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (abstract).
Age And Platelet Count May Predict Ability To Collect Enough Stem Cells For Transplant – Findings from a recent study show that age and platelet count can be used to predict whether a multiple myeloma patient is likely to successfully harvest enough stem cells for a transplant. Patients older than 58 years or who had a baseline platelet count less than 161,000 cells/mm3 failed to collect enough stem cells using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to mobilize the stem cells into the blood for collection. The study investigators conclude that patients with these characteristics should not receive mobilization with G-CSF alone and that alternative methods of mobilization should be tested. For more information, please see the study in Transfusion and Apheresis Science (abstract).
Treatment-Free Intervals Improve Quality Of Life For Multiple Myeloma Patients – A recent survey of multiple myeloma patients in the United Kingdom shows that patients in their first treatment-free interval and those experiencing a longer treatment-free interval enjoy better quality of life as compared to patients in other phases of treatment. The investigators believe these results may help doctors and patients make treatment decisions, especially when considering extended treatment plans. For more information, please refer to the study in Supportive Care in Cancer (abstract).