Multiple myeloma patients are at an increased risk of developing deep vein blood clots, and several myeloma treatments further increase the risk. However, blood clots can often be prevented with the use of blood thinners, according to Dr. Todd Zimmerman of the University of Chicago during a myeloma education session on June 7 at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting.

Dr. Zimmerman reported that there is a nine-fold increase of deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a deep vein) among multiple myeloma patients, even before they begin treatment. …

Yesterday was the fourth day of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago. Although today is the final day of the meeting, the multiple myeloma-related sessions concluded yesterday.

The day began with a meeting-wide session to review the highlights of the previous day across all cancer types. There were six presentations, and despite all of the types of cancers being discussed at the meeting, an entire presentation was devoted to myeloma.

Dr. Jean-Luc Harousseau from the Rene Gauducheau Cancer Center in France presented the myeloma highlights. He described …

Researchers have discovered that variants in XRCC5, a DNA repair gene, are associated with greater blood clot risk during thalidomide (Thalomid) therapy. Although researchers remain unsure of the precise mechanism underlying XRCC5’s contribution to clot formation, they hope that genetic screening could one day identify high-risk patients requiring more intensive preventative intervention.

Blood clots, in particular deep vein thrombosis – which is a clot within the deep veins of the body – can be a serious and potentially fatal condition. When clots form in blood vessels, they block blood flow and …