Myeloma specialists from the Czech Republic have published clinical trial results that shed further light on chromosomal abnormalities and their impact on survival in newly diag­nosed multiple myeloma patients.

Specifically, the researchers found that patients with three or more chromos­omal abnor­malities, a gain in the 1q21 region, or the trans­location t(4;14) have reduced survival compared to patients without such abnormalities.

According to the researchers, their findings highlight the importance of chromosomal abnormalities when considering treatment options for myeloma patients.

They note, however, that their findings need to be confirmed in a pro­spective, …

An international group of myeloma researchers has recently identified five genetic variations that may be associated with an increased risk of developing thalidomide-related peripheral neuropathy.  Several of these genes are involved in repairing nerves or controlling inflammation in the peripheral nervous system.

The researchers indicated that these genetic variations may be a tool to help identify patients who are at a greater risk of developing thalidomide-related peripheral neuropathy.

However, the researchers pointed out that their findings were based on data from patients who received intermediate doses of thalidomide and who developed the …

The results of a recent Japanese study suggest that a vincristine-doxorubicin-dexamethasone regimen without intermittent high-dose dexamethasone reduces the risk of bacterial infection in multiple myeloma patients without affecting the treatment’s efficacy. 

Based on these findings, the study authors recommended avoiding the administration of intermittent high-dose dexamethasone with the vincristine-doxorubicin-dexamethasone regimen in myeloma patients at high risk for infection. 

The combination treatment of vincristine (Oncovin), doxorubicin (Adriamycin), and dexamethasone (Decadron) plus high-dose pulses of dexamethasone (referred to as VAD-HD) was first approved as a treatment for advanced multiple myeloma.

It …

During the course of their disease, multiple myeloma patients may develop a condition called amyloidosis.  Amyloidosis is a disease in which proteins accumulate in organs such as the heart or kidneys, leading to organ damage and complications associated with some multiple myeloma treatments.

The following article describes amyloidosis as it relates to multiple myeloma and includes some of the current treatment recommendations for patients with this dual diagnosis.

What Is Amyloidosis?

Amyloidosis occurs when proteins accumulate in organs such as the heart, kidney, liver, or intestines.

There are …

The results of a recent study suggest that although the chromosomal abnormalities t(4;14) and del(17p) are associated with poor prognoses in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients, Velcade-dexamethasone therapy improved survival among patients with t(4;14) compared to treatment with vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone.

However, patients with the t(4;14) abnormality did not respond as well to Velcade and dexamethasone as patients without the abnormality.  Patients with del(17p) did not show the same improvements when treated with Velcade-dexamethasone.

The presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the plasma cells of multiple myeloma patients is associated with poor …

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 …

For multiple myeloma patients, treatment history and personal predisposition have been identified as two key factors that may predict if a patient treated with Velcade (bortezomib) or thalidomide (Thalomid) will develop tingling and pain from nerve damage in their limbs.

Thalidomide and Velcade are among the many myeloma treatments that are neurotoxic, which means that they cause damage to the body’s nervous system. As a result, multiple myeloma patients commonly experience tingling and pain from nerve damage in their extremities as a side effect of treatment – this is called …