Articles tagged with: VTD
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Good morning, myeloma world.
After a particularly busy inaugural edition of Myeloma Morning, today's edition doesn't have quite as much ground to cover. We'll be focusing most of today's discussion on just four new research studies that have been published.
That being said, the first of those studies is going to require more than the usual amount of attention.
That's because the study is a new International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) consensus statement concerning high-risk cytogenetics – a subject of significant interest to almost everyone in myeloma world (
NewsFlash »
Velcade-Thalidomide-Dexamethasone Combination May Be Effective After A Stem Cell Transplant In Multiple Myeloma Patients – Results from a French study show that the combination of Velcade (bortezomib), thalidomide (Thalomid), and dexamethasone (Decadron), commonly referred to as VTD, may improve response rates in multiple myeloma patients after stem cell transplantation. The complete response rate for patients who received VTD as a consolidation therapy (52 percent) was significantly higher than the rate for patients who received a placebo (30 percent). The time to progression was also longer in patients who received VTD (62 percent), compared to those who received a placebo (29 percent). All patients had also received VTD as induction therapy prior to stem cell transplantation. For more information, please refer to the letter in the journal Leukemia (abstract).
Revlimid May Not Worsen Pre-Existing Peripheral Neuropathy In Relapsed Or Refractory Myeloma Patients – Results from an Italian study indicate that Revlimid (lenalidomide) does not worsen pre-existing peripheral neuropathy (pain, tingling, and loss of sensation in the extremities due to nerve damage) in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients. The investigators administered Revlimid and dexamethasone to 30 patients who had previously received Velcade or thalidomide. After 12 months of Revlimid therapy, peripheral neuropathy did not worsen in patients with pre-existing peripheral neuropathy and did not develop in any of the patients without pre-existing neuropathy. Based on these results, the investigators recommend longer follow-up studies to confirm Revlimid’s safety in patients with pre-existing peripheral neuropathy. For more information, please see the study in the Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System (abstract).
Heavy/Light Chain Assay May More Effectively Measure M-Protein Levels In Myeloma Patients – Findings from a European study indicate that the heavy/light chain (HLC) assay can be used as an effective prognostic test in patients with multiple myeloma. The investigators found that the HLC assay was better at identifying monoclonal (M) protein levels than other conventional tests, such as serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis. In addition, the investigators found that the HLC assay was not only more accurate, but could also detect subtle changes in patients with very low M-protein levels. The investigators note that results from the HLC assay and the free light chain (FLC) assay were generally in agreement, but both tests are needed to exclude the presence of residual disease. For more information, please refer to the study in Leukemia (subscription required).
