A recent study showed that relapsed and therapy-resistant multiple myeloma patients with an abnormality on chromosome 1, called 1q21 gain, did not respond as well to single-agent Velcade treatment in comparison to patients who lack this chromosomal abnormality.

The study found that the median duration of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival were significantly lower among patients with the 1q21 gain abnormality.

Chromosomal abnormalities are the result of unbalanced changes to the structure of a chromosome, which may occur through deletions, insertions, duplications, or movement of chromosomal regions. They are considered high-risk …

A recent study conducted in Spain demonstrated that for multiple myeloma patients treated with Velcade, prior vincristine-based treatment and the absence of neurological monitoring are factors that may increase the risk of developing nerve damage in their limbs.

The study authors suggested that patients be given a clinical and neurological assessment prior to treatment with Velcade.  If the patients’ resulting score is high enough to suggest the development of a severe form of Velcade-induced nerve damage, patients should continue to be monitored during Velcade therapy.

Velcade (bortezomib) is a neurotoxic therapy, meaning …

A Phase 1 study found the four-drug combination of Revlimid-Velcade-dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide (RVCD) to be safe and effective in newly diagnosed, previously untreated multiple myeloma patients.

These results suggest that adding cyclophosphamide as the fourth drug in the treatment therapy may be just as or more effective than traditional two- and three-drug combinations. The study also determined that 500 mg/m² cyclophosphamide, the highest dose tested, could safely be used in the RVCD drug combination.

Previous studies have shown that three-drug combinations can be very effective, including the Revlimid (lenalidomide)-Velcade (bortezomib)-dexamethasone …

The results of a study comparing the outcomes of multiple myeloma patients receiving Velcade as part of their initial therapy suggest that certain chromosomal abnormalities influence patient responses to Velcade.  The results also indicate that Velcade may be particularly effective in delaying progression of myeloma in patients with chromosomal abnormalities.

The findings were presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) meeting in Barcelona, Spain.

The study aimed to shed light on the controversial issue regarding appropriate initial therapy regimens, also known as induction therapy, for multiple myeloma patients with high-risk chromosomal abnormalities. …

Treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients with a combination of cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), Velcade (bortezomib), and dexamethasone (Decadron) (abbreviated CyBorD) appears to be effective and safe. The findings were presented June 5 in a poster session at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting.

The study compared CyBorD with Revlimid (lenalidomide)-dexamethasone treatment (abbreviated RD) and cyclophosphamide-Revlimid-dexamethasone treatment (abbreviated CRD). The results of the Phase 2 trials indicate that RD and CyBorD treatment were similar in efficacy and safety. CRD, however, was not as effective and had …

This article describes a myeloma patient’s experience participating in a clinical trial. It is part of a series of articles intended to help clarify the clinical trial process.

In August 2008, Phil Brabbs was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma, which most physicians do not treat until symptoms begin and the disease progresses to multiple myeloma. After more than a year of physicians carefully reviewing his blood work, Phil’s smoldering myeloma progressed to multiple myeloma, and his physicians wanted to begin treatment.

Phil’s doctor suggested that he participate in a clinical trial that would …

Results of two Phase 1b clinical trials suggest that panobinostat (Farydak) in combination with Velcade (bortezomib) or Revlimid (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone (Decadron) is effective and well-tolerated in patients who are resistant (refractory) to previous multiple myeloma treatment. The findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago in early June.

“There are novel therapies that have improved the outcome, literally doubled the survival, of patients with myeloma. Despite these incredible advances, inevitably most patients relapse, and so …