Articles in the Featured Category
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The year 2009 brought a lot of new and exciting advancements in the field of multiple myeloma. Over the course of 2009, The Myeloma Beacon covered more than 100 important myeloma-related studies.
To highlight the most important of these studies, the Myeloma Beacon surveyed leading physicians and researchers in the field. These physicians and researchers were asked to name the three peer reviewed journal articles published in 2009 and the three conference abstracts from 2009 that have the most important findings…
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Curcumin has been garnering increased attention as a potential anticancer treatment. It is the major active compound in turmeric, a popular Indian spice made from the rhizomes, or underground stalks, of a plant in the ginger family.
In multiple myeloma and the precursor condition monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), cell culture studies and one animal study have shown that curcumin can kill cancer cells and prevent them from multiplying. The Beacon also found two early-stage clinical trials studying curcumin’s effects…
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A recent study confirmed that the multi-drug regimen known as Total Therapy 3 (TT3) has a high response rate for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. The study was conducted by physicians at the University of Arkansas Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy and was published in the journal Blood.
The term “Total Therapy” indicates the use of all therapeutic agents and methods of treatment that have been shown to be effective against the disease. The Myeloma Beacon previously reported on a series…
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Dr. Robert Kyle is a multiple myeloma key opinion leader, physician, researcher, and professor at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Kyle has dedicated his life to caring for multiple myeloma patients and studying the disease.
His work in myeloma began with his residency at the Mayo Clinic in the late 1950s, where he measured monoclonal protein levels in more than 6,500 myeloma and non-myeloma patients to identify a spike characteristic of multiple myeloma. He has authored more than 850 research papers and…
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Research shows that papain, a compound found in papaya fruit trees, may serve as a useful supplementary therapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
Papain is an enzyme that breaks down proteins. One such protein, called fibrin, makes up the protective layer of cancer cells. Papain degrades fibrin and damages this protective layer, making the cells more susceptible to immune response or chemotherapy. The compound also hinders tumor growth and prevents it from spreading to other parts of the body.
Papaya plants…
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Preliminary results from an ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial suggest that elotuzumab, in combination with Revlimid and low-dose dexamethasone, may have potential in the treatment of multiple myeloma. The findings were presented at the American Society of Hematology’s 51st Annual Meeting at the beginning of last month.
Dr. Ravi Vij from the University of Washington in St. Louis, co-author of the study, remarked, “The trial showed very high rates of response when elotuzumab is given in combination with Revlimid.”
Elotuzumab is a new drug…
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A new study suggests that NPI-0052, a new product being developed by Nereus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., may be more active and less toxic in patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma despite treatment with Velcade (bortezomib) and other drugs. Researchers presented the preliminary results of the Phase 1 trial on December 7 at the 51st annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).
Found in marine bacteria, NPI-0052 acts, like Velcade, as a proteasome inhibitor. Both compounds prevent enzymes in cancer cells that…
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People with high-risk, smoldering multiple myeloma who are treated with Revlimid (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone (Decadron) take longer to progress to full-blown multiple myeloma than their counterparts, according to interim results of an ongoing Phase 3 study. Researchers presented the findings at the American Society of Hematology’s (ASH) 51st Annual Meeting.
“For the first time, we are seeing a study which is addressing the question of the early treatment of patients with smoldering myeloma,” said Dr. Brian Durie, a physician with the Cedars-Sinai Medical…
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Results from recent Phase 1/2 clinical trials show that a perifosine, Velcade (bortezomib) and dexamethasone (Decadron) combination treatment is safe and effective for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Perifosine is an alkyl-phosphocholine compound that controls cell division, cell growth and cell death, and is currently investigated for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Researchers presented their findings on December 5 at the American Society of Hematology’s 51st Annual Meeting.
“Great meeting—lots of exciting new developments for multiple myeloma,” wrote Dr. Paul Richardson, lead researcher in the…
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Researchers from Canada have found that long exposure to novel agents as well as achievement of higher response rates contribute to long-term survival in multiple myeloma patients. They presented their findings at the American Society of Hematology Meeting (ASH) on December 6.
The term “long-term survivor” refers to a person who is alive for ten or more years following diagnosis of myeloma. Long-term survival is still unusual in multiple myeloma. Less than 10 percent of patients fall into the category of…