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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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Myeloma Beacon To Launch Sponsorship Program – To continue expanding the content and services it provides the myeloma community, The Myeloma Beacon will launch a sponsorship program on September 6.  Sponsors will include myeloma treatment centers, pharmaceutical companies, and other organizations and individuals. Participation in the program will give sponsors a way to support the Beacon’s mission of providing objective news and information to patients and caregivers, while also providing sponsors greater visibility within the myeloma community.

Dr. Peter Voorhees Joins The Myeloma Beacon’s Medical Advisor Team – Dr. Peter Voorhees, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 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.

Modified Versions Of Ecstasy Could Treat Cancer – Researchers have made modified forms of the illegal drug ecstasy (MDMA) that kill white blood cell cancers 100 times more effectively than ecstasy itself.  Ecstasy has been known to kill cancers involving white blood cells, such as multiple myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma.  However, the doses of ecstasy necessary to treat cancer would be lethal to the patient.  The new, more potent forms have the potential to be safe at therapeutic doses.  For more information, see the study in the journal Investigational New Drugs (abstract).

Teleconference On Living Well With Myeloma – Tomorrow, the International Myeloma Foundation will sponsor a teleconference about living well with multiple myeloma.  Timothy Tyler, director of pharmacy services at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, CA, will speak about drug interactions and contraindications (conditions making a particular drug or procedure inadvisable) as they pertain to myeloma treatments, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.  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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U.K. Agency Approves Thalidomide And Velcade For Newly Diagnosed Myeloma Patients – The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the agency that decides which treatments will be funded for patients in England and Wales, approved funding for thalidomide (Thalomid) and Velcade (bortezomib) for certain newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.  According to the final guidelines, NICE approved thalidomide for patients ineligible for stem cell transplantation.  Due to Velcade’s higher cost, it was approved for the same patients only if they are unable to tolerate thalidomide.  Both drugs are supposed to be given in combination with an alkylating agent – e.g., melphalan (Alkeran) or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) – and a corticosteroid – e.g., dexamethasone (Decadron) or prednisone.  For more information, see the NICE website.

Australian Myeloma Specialist Receives Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Douglas Joshua, a myeloma expert at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia, received the Robert A. Kyle lifetime achievement award last month from the International Myeloma Foundation for his work over the past 40 years in the field of multiple myeloma.  Dr. Joshua is the head of the Myeloma Research Unit and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at his hospital and has led basic and clinical research in myeloma.  For more information, see the Sydney Central.

San Diego Area Workshop For Myeloma Patients And Family – The International Myeloma Foundation will hold a free, one-day workshop for myeloma patients and their family members on August 13 in La Jolla, CA.  Myeloma specialist Dr. Morie Gertz from the Mayo Clinic and two other guest speakers will discuss topics important to myeloma patients and answer attendees’ questions.  The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Sheraton La Jolla and will last until 3 p.m.  Lunch will be provided.  For more information or to register, 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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Eighth Canadian Province Approves Revlimid Funding – Revlimid (lenalidomide) in combination with dexamethasone (Decadron) is now funded and accessible in Manitoba, Canada for multiple myeloma patients who have been previously treated. Only two provinces, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, deny access to myeloma patients who do not have private insurance. Myeloma Canada, an organization dedicated to supporting myeloma patients, will continue campaigning for universal coverage of Revlimid. For more information, please see the Myeloma Canada press release.

Astex And MMRC Begin Phase 2 Study Of AT7519 For Myeloma – Astex Therapeutics has launched a Phase 2 clinical trial, funded by the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC), of AT7519 for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients. AT7519 is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that prevents the growth and spread of myeloma cells by interfering with cell division. Previous trials have shown it has significant anti-tumor effect. AT7519 will be tested alone and in combination with Velcade (bortezomib). For more information, see the MMRC press release.

IMF Will Hold Myeloma Patient And Family Seminar – The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will hold an educational program for multiple myeloma patients and their families on August 27 and August 28 in Universal City, CA. Doctors in the myeloma field will answer questions and cover topics such as managing side effects, current standard treatments, and on-going clinical trials. The cost for the seminar is $60 per person. For more information or to register, please see the IMF website.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.

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Onyx Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase 3 Myeloma Trial Of Carfilzomib – Onyx Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday announced the start of enrollment for an international Phase 3 trial of carfilzomib in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients. The trial will enroll 700 patients and will test carfilzomib in combination with Revlimid (lenalidomide) and low-dose dexamethasone (Decadron) versus Revlimid and low-dose dexamethasone without carfilzomib. Carfilzomib is a proteasome inhibitor that prevents the growth and spread of myeloma cells by interrupting their protein-related cellular processes. For more information, please see the Onyx Pharmaceuticals press release and the clinical trial description.

EntreMed’s ENMD-2076 Shows Anti-Myeloma Activity – EntreMed announced last week that its new cancer compound ENMD-2076 showed significant anti-myeloma activity in pre-clinical studies. EntreMed has already launched a Phase 1 study in multiple myeloma patients. ENMD-2076 prevents the growth and spread of myeloma cells by interfering with cell division. For more information, please see the EntreMed press release and the clinical trial description.

IMF Will Hold Myeloma Patient & Family Seminar – The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will be holding a seminar for myeloma patients and their families August 13 to 14 in Philadelphia, PA. Myeloma experts Dr. Brian Durie and Dr. Robert Kyle are among the speakers scheduled to present during Saturday’s general session. The cost for the seminar is $60 per person. For more information or to register, please visit the IMF website.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma-related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.