Articles tagged with: Clinical Trial
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Reduced-Dose Velcade-Thalidomide-Dexamethasone Is Effective For Newly Diagnosed Myeloma – Recently published results from a French study show that the combination of reduced-dose Velcade (bortezomib) and thalidomide (Thalomid) plus dexamethasone (Decadron) is safer and more effective than standard-dose Velcade plus dexamethasone for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. The results were previously presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in June 2010. Results showed that after four cycles of therapy, patients who received the reduced-dose three-drug combination had a significantly higher response rate and experienced fewer side effects than patients receiving the standard-dose regimen. The same group of patients continued to have a higher response rate after stem cell transplantation. For a more detailed summary of the results, please see the Beacon’s coverage of the ASCO presentation or the study in the journal Blood (abstract).
Phase 3 Clinical Trial Investigating The Need For Stem Cell Transplantation Is Recruiting Myeloma Patients – Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients under the age of 65 years are being recruited at various cancer centers across the United States for a Phase 3 clinical trial that will investigate whether stem cell transplants are necessary in the era of novel agents. All participants will be treated with a combination of Revlimid (lenalidomide), Velcade, and dexamethasone. Half of the patients will then also receive a stem cell transplant. Based on the results, researchers will determine whether stem cell transplantation significantly extends progression-free survival. For more information or to enroll, please see the clinical trial description.
Teleconference On Clinical Trial Participation – On Thursday, the International Myeloma Foundation will sponsor a teleconference about the importance of participating in clinical trials. Dr. Brian Durie, a myeloma specialist at Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center, will discuss the Phase 3 clinical trial comparing carfilzomib-Revlimid-dexamethasone and Revlimid-dexamethasone alone. The call will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. PT. For more information, please see the International Myeloma Foundation website.
For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
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Dr. Adam Cohen Joins The Myeloma Beacon’s Medical Advisor Team – Dr. Adam Cohen, an assistant professor of clinical oncology at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, has joined The Myeloma Beacon’s team of Medical Advisors. Beacon Medical Advisors assist with answering medical questions posted in the Beacon’s multiple myeloma forums. For more information about getting medical advice answered in the forums, please see these instructions.
Senesco Technologies And Mayo Clinic To Begin Clinical Trial Of SNS01-T For Myeloma – On August 24, Senesco Technologies announced an agreement with the Mayo Clinic to conduct a clinical trial to study SNS01-T, an investigational drug that Senesco is developing for multiple myeloma. The trial will assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of SNS01-T in relapsed as well as refractory multiple myeloma patients. The trial is expected to start by the end of September. For more information, please see the Senesco website.
Retaspimycin Shows Modest Activity In Phase 1 Trial For Myeloma – Results from a Phase 1 clinical trial showed that retaspimycin hydrochloride (IPI-504), an investigational drug being developed by Infinity Pharmaceuticals, has modest activity in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients. Retaspimycin stabilized disease in four of eighteen patients participating in the trial. The most common side effect was pain at the infusion site. All side effects were mild or moderate. For more information, see the study in the journal Leukemia and Lymphoma (abstract).
Boston Workshop For Multiple Myeloma Patients – The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) will hold a one-day workshop for myeloma patients and their families on September 9 in Boston. Dr. Paul Richardson, a myeloma expert from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, will lead the program. Throughout the day, myeloma experts will talk about prognosis, treatments for newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory patients, supportive care options, and clinical trials. The specialists will also be available to answer questions. Registration will begin at 9 a.m., and the program will run from 10 a.m. until 3.30 p.m. at the Westin Copley Place. For more information or to register, please see the MMRF website.
For a more detailed list of myeloma-related events, please see the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
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The 47th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) will take place Friday, June 3, through Tuesday, June 7, in Chicago.
More than 30,000 clinical specialists from all over the world are expected to attend the five-day meeting to discuss the current research in cancer treatment and care. This year’s meeting will primarily focus on the theme of “Patients, Pathways, Progress.”
The meeting will include many presentations and seminars focused specifically on multiple myeloma. The ASCO website currently lists over 40 myeloma-based abstracts.
The Myeloma Beacon…
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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 infusions that increase natural killer cell activity. Natural killer cells for each participant will be obtained from a family member, if available, or from the patient directly. Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 75. If interested in participating in the study, please contact Dr. Bijay Nair at . For more information, see the clinical trial description and results from a Phase 1 study of this therapy.
National Cancer Institute To Begin Phase 1 Study Of Reolysin For Multiple Myeloma – Oncolytics Biotech, the company developing the drug Reolysin, recently announced plans for a Phase 1 clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of Reolysin in relapsed multiple myeloma patients. Reolysin is a formulation of a common human virus that is able to infect and kill certain cancer cells, including myeloma cells. The study is sponsored by the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program of the U.S. National Cancer Institute and is not yet recruiting participants. For more information, please see the Oncolytics press release.
Multiple Myeloma Education Programs – Two educational programs for multiple myeloma patients will be held on May 21. Dr. Robert Vescio will speak at the event held in Riverside, CA, and Dr. Ruben Niesvizky will speak at the event in Albany, NY. The physicians will also answer patients’ questions. In addition, a multiple myeloma patient will speak at each program. Attendees can also connect with others at the event who have been affected by myeloma. Both events are sponsored by Millennium. For more information, please see the Beacon event descriptions (Riverside, Albany). To register, call 1-866-508-6181.
For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.
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Dr. Kenneth Anderson, a world-renowned myeloma specialist, physician and researcher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Kraft Family Professor at Harvard Medical School, spoke with The Myeloma Beacon about his approach to treating multiple myeloma patients.
This article is the second part of a two-part series based on The Myeloma Beacon’s interview with Dr. Anderson. It will cover Dr. Anderson’s thoughts on where myeloma treatment is headed in the coming years. For more information on Dr. Anderson’s current approach to treating multiple myeloma, please see part one of this series.…
