A recent report, published in conjunction with the 45th annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), suggests that skeletal complications are an important prognostic factor in multiple myeloma patients treated with the drug Zometa (zoledronic acid).

The researchers studied osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), or death of bone tissue in the jaw, which is a common side effect of Zometa. They found that the development of ONJ was associated with a reduced risk of skeletal-related…

On May 31 at the 45th meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), researchers from Italy will report the results for a Phase 3 study currently comparing the combination Velcade (bortezomib)–melphalan (Alkeran)–prednisone–thalidomide (Thalomid) (VMPT) to Velcade-melphalan-prednisone (VMP) for the treatment of elderly, newly diagnosed myeloma patients.

Overall, the very good partial response rate for patients treated with VMPT was 55 percent, compared to 45 percent for those treated with VMP. After a median follow-up time…

The 45th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is set to kick off on May 29 in Orlando.

This year, nearly 30,000 clinical specialists are expected to attend the five day meeting to discuss the latest advances in oncology research, care, treatment, prevention, and survivorship. Over 4,000 presentations and posters are scheduled, with this year’s meeting highlighting personalized cancer care.

The ASCO meeting will include many presentations and seminars focused on multiple myeloma. Currently, 50 myeloma-based…

In the current issue of Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, Dr. James R. Berenson from the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research discusses the history of Velcade (bortezomib) and the drug’s current role in treating newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in patients who are not candidates for high dose therapy.

Until recent years, the only treatment options available for patients unable to receive high dose therapy were standard chemotherapy and steroid regimens used in the conventional treatment of tumors. The…

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s (MMRF) Marathon and Half Marathon Program has just announced a charity partnership with the New York Road Runners that will provide the MMRF with 100 guaranteed entries for the 2009 ING New York City Marathon on November 1 and 100 entries for the NYC Half Marathon on August 30.

Runners interested in participating in either of these popular NYC events as charity runners will have an opportunity to secure their entry now, and bypass the…