The results of a recent French analysis indicate that the cancer drug Treanda, in combination with prednisone or dexamethasone, may be effective in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients.

Based on their findings, the French researchers recommended that Treanda (bendamustine) be considered as a treatment option for patients with advanced multiple myeloma.

Treanda is an alkylating agent, which causes cancer cell death by damaging the cancer cells’ DNA.  The drug, which was originally developed in East Germany in the 1960s,…

Recently, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) announced several updates and changes to its guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of multiple myeloma.

The NCCN guidelines are followed closely by physicians and by many U.S. health insurance companies, which frequently use them when making reimbursement decisions about different cancer treatments.

The guidelines are comprised of recommendations based on the results of recent clinical trials and ongoing scientific research.  A panel of specialists within the myeloma field is responsible for updating the NCCN guidelines for multiple myeloma.…

A recent study found that fatigue in multiple myeloma patients is associated with sleep and mood disturbances, reduced abilities to complete simple physical activities, and elevated levels of physical pain.

The study also finds, however, that pain is not as directly linked to fatigue as sleep, the ability to carry out physical activity, and, especially, mood disturbances. 

Instead, pain’s impact on fatigue may be indirect, through its influence on sleep, mood, or overall physical condition.

Based on their findings, the study authors conclude that physicians need to work harder with patients to control the forces that lead…

The results from a clinical trial, called the ZMAX trial, suggest that administering Zometa intravenously over a longer period does not increase the drug’s safety compared to shorter infusion times.

Dr. James Berenson, from Berenson Oncology and lead author of the study, stated in email correspondence with The Myeloma Beacon that he hopes these study results will reassure patients that a 15-minute infusion time is safe.  Ultimately, the study authors suggested that infusion duration should be based on individual patient…

Spanish researchers recently published long-term follow-up results confirming that a complete response following stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma patients increases overall and progression-free survival compared to a very good or partial response.

Treatment with high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation is a standard therapeutic approach for younger, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. There has been some debate among researchers, however, as to whether the quality of response following transplantation can predict patient outcome.

In 2000, the same group…