The International Myeloma Working Group, a group of leading myeloma specialists, recently drafted guidelines for the prevention of blood clots in the veins in multiple myeloma patients. The group recommended the use of heparin or warfarin for patients with a high risk for developing blood clots and aspirin for standard-risk patients.

Dr. Antonio Palumbo of the University of Torino in Italy presented the draft guidelines at the International Myeloma Workshop (IMW) on May 6 in Paris. In email correspondence with…

Results of a recent German study show that the chromosomal abnormalities del(17p13) and +1q21 may reduce overall survival in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients receiving Revlimid-dexamethasone compared to patients without these abnormalities.

The results also indicate that patients with t(14;16) receiving Revlimid-dexamethasone have a shorter time to disease progression than patients without this abnormality. In addition, patients with del(13q14) in combination with certain other chromosomal abnormalities may have decreased response rates and a shorter time to disease progression.

The study authors,…

A group of leading myeloma specialists, known as the International Myeloma Working Group, recently collaborated to develop guidelines for the proper management of anemia with erythropoietin therapy in multiple myeloma patients. The group advised erythropoietin therapy for anemic myeloma patients receiving chemotherapy in order to improve quality of life and to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions. They further recommended the addition of iron to improve the efficiency of erythropoietin therapy.

Dr. Heinz Ludwig of the Wilhelminen Hospital…

Results of a recent Italian study show that a four-drug combination regimen of Velcade, Doxil, dexamethasone, and thalidomide may be more effective than two- or three-drug combinations for multiple myeloma patients who have relapsed or are resistant to prior treatment.

“This study clearly reinforced the idea that aggressive therapy, even in the second-line relapse setting, is of great value,” said Dr. Mario Curti, a hematologist at Los Alamitos Medical Center in Los Alamitos, California, who was not involved in the…

University Of Arkansas Begins Phase 2 Study Of Natural Killer Cell Therapy For Multiple Myeloma – Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences are currently recruiting high-risk, relapsed multiple myeloma patients to participate in a Phase 2 clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of natural killer cell therapy. A natural killer cell is a type of white blood cell that fights cancer cells. Participants will be treated with Velcade (bortezomib) as well as natural killer cell infusions and protein…