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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-0276 Shows Anti-Myeloma Activity – EntreMed announced last week that its new cancer compound ENMD-0276 showed significant anti-myeloma activity in pre-clinical studies. EntreMed has already launched a Phase 1 study in multiple myeloma patients. ENMD-0276 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.

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European Medicines Agency Approves Addition Of Survival Data To Velcade Prescribing Information – On June 15, Janssen-Cilag announced that the European Medicines Agency approved the addition of data to the prescribing information for Velcade (bortezomib) showing that Velcade extends survival in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. Results of an international Phase 3 study showed that the combination therapy of Velcade, melphalan (Alkeran), and prednisone elicits significantly higher complete response and overall survival rates among patients than melphalan and prednisone alone (see related Beacon news). For more information, please see the Janssen-Cilag press release.

IMF Holds Inaugural Myeloma Summit Meeting – The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) invited leading myeloma experts to speak about the future of multiple myeloma care and treatment at their first summit meeting in North Hollywood, CA. The summit took place on the heels of the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting. Topics for discussion included the use and timing of stem cell transplants, treatment goals, and the management of peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage to the extremities). The summit’s working group will issue consensus statements in the near future to guide treatment and further clinical trials. For more information, please read the IMF press release.

Phase 1/2b Study Of Arno Therapeutics’ Myeloma Drug Candidate AR-42 Treats First Patient – Arno Therapeutics announced treatment of the first patient with AR-42 in a Phase 1/2b study evaluating the drug for the treatment of advanced multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and lymphoma. Researchers will evaluate the drug’s safety, activity, and dosage limits. For more information, please see the Arno Therapeutics press release and the clinical trial description.

NCI Begins Phase 2 Study Of AZD6244 In Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma Patients – The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is launching a Phase 2 trial of AZD6244, a molecule that inhibits biochemical processes important to the survival of myeloma cells. The study is evaluating AZD6244 as a treatment for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. For more information or to participate in the trial, please contact the research nurse for this study, Mary Ann Yancey, at (301) 435-9227 or , or visit the clinical trial Web page.

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Myeloma Experts From Ohio State University To Field Questions At The Beacon Forums Next Week – As a way of giving multiple myeloma patients an opportunity to get expert answers to their myeloma-related questions, The Myeloma Beacon has arranged for physicians from The Ohio State University’s Myeloma Clinic to answer medical questions posted to the Beacon forums during the upcoming week. The center has a number of young, enthusiastic myeloma specialists who are eager to answer forum readers’ questions. One of the experts, Dr. Craig Hofmeister, has already provided answers to a number of forum questions. Readers are encouraged to begin posting their questions to the forums.

Boehringer Ingelheim And Micromet Announce Cooperation For Experimental Multiple Myeloma Treatment – Boehringer Ingelheim and Micromet announced last week that they will collaborate on the development of BiTE antibodies for the treatment of multiple myeloma. BiTE antibodies, which were discovered by Micromet, target the body’s immune system toward tumor cells. The two companies will conduct pre-clinical studies together. Boehringer Ingelheim will be responsible for the clinical development of the treatment. For more information, please see the Boehringer Ingelheim press release.

Celebrity Michael McKean Wins $1 Million On Jeopardy! For International Myeloma Foundation – Michael McKean, a film and television show actor, writer, and director, was the champion of last week’s Jeopardy! celebrity tournament. McKean donated the grand prize of $1 million to the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) to be used for patient and family education programs as well as multiple myeloma research. For more information, please see the IMF press release.

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Myeloma Experts From University Of Arkansas Answer Questions At The Myeloma Beacon Forums This Week – Dr. Bart Barlogie and Dr. Bijay Nair, myeloma experts from the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences will be answering medical questions posted to the forums at the Myeloma Beacon this week. Readers can post their questions and review answers from other myeloma experts by visiting the Myeloma Beacon Forums.

MMRF Grants Funding To Intellikine and Tragara Pharmaceuticals For Novel Myeloma Treatments – The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) announced last week that it will award Intellikine and Tragara Pharmaceuticals, two biotech companies based in Southern California, with $1 million each for the development of two new compounds for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Intellikine’s INK128 and Tragara Pharmaceuticals’ TG02 have both shown potential for multiple myeloma in pre-clinical studies. For more information, please see the MMRF press release.

5th Annual “Music Against Myeloma” Fundraiser To Be Held In NYC – On April 22, special musical performances will take place during the 5^th annual “Music Against Myeloma” fundraiser to the benefit of the International Myeloma Foundation. The event will take place at BLVD in New York City from 7 to 10 p.m. Advance tickets are $40. Please see the Music Against Myeloma Web site for additional information and to purchase tickets.

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

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Perifosine Receives “Orphan Medicinal Product Designation” In Europe For Myeloma – On March 1, Aeterna Zentaris announced that it received a positive opinion for orphan medicinal product designation for perifosine for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Perifosine is currently being studied in a Phase 3 trial for myeloma. Orphan medicinal product designation, similar to orphan drug status in the U.S., encourages development of drugs for rare medical conditions. The status gives the drug’s developer assistance with the application for the approval of the drug, waived application fees, and up to ten years of market exclusivity in Europe, if approved for treatment. Perifosine has already been granted orphan drug status in the U.S. For more information, please see the press release on the Æterna Zentaris Web site.

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics To Receive Patent For ICT-69 – On March 2, ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, a biotechnology company that is developing immune-based therapies for cancer treatment, announced that it received a Notice of Allowance on its patent application for ICT-69, a monoclonal antibody that targets multiple myeloma and ovarian cancers. Generally, this notification means that a patent will be issued once the issue fee is paid. For more information, see the ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Web site.

Myeloma Awareness Month Teleconference Series – There are three more teleconferences in the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) teleconference series celebrating March as Myeloma Awareness Month. Patients, family members, caregivers, and health care professionals are welcome to join. The teleconferences provide up-to-date information regarding multiple myeloma and are held each Friday during March at 7 p.m. EST. Each teleconference will include an hour-long presentation followed by a 30-minute Q&A session on education (March 12), research (March 19), and advocacy (March 26). Please see the IMF Web site for more information.

Living With Myeloma Conference – The Arizona Myeloma Network is hosting its fourth annual “Living With Myeloma” conference on March 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Scottsdale Conference Center. Physicians and researchers, including Dr. Robert Kyle, Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, will be giving invited talks. Patients, family members, caregivers, physicians, researchers, and health care providers interested in myeloma are invited. The conference, including a continental breakfast and hot lunch, is free. Heath care professionals may receive 4.5 continuing medical education credits for attending. Space is limited for the conference, and those interested in attending are urged to register quickly. For registration and more information, visit the Arizona Myeloma Network Web Site.

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

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Dacetuzumab Shows Some Potential For Multiple Myeloma – Results from a Phase 1 clinical trial show that dacetuzumab (SGN-40), an anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody, has some anti-myeloma effects. The best response observed during the trial was stable disease in 20 percent of patients. The study authors found that doses up to 12 mg/kg per week were well tolerated. Most side effects were mild to moderate and included fatigue, headache, nausea, and anemia. The study authors suggest that dacetuzumab may produce better response rates in combination with other myeloma drugs. Two combination trials (one with Revlimid (lenalidomide) and one with Velcade (bortezomib)) are underway.  For more information, please see the study in The Haematologica Journal (pdf) and the clinical trial descriptions (dacetuzumab with Revlimid or Velcade) .

Myeloma Awareness Month Teleconference Series – Each Friday during the month of March, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will be hosting a teleconference to raise awareness and provide up-to-date information about multiple myeloma. The teleconferences are scheduled for 7 p.m. EST and will include a 60 minute presentation followed by a 30 minute Q&A. Patients, family members, caregivers, and health care professionals are welcome to join. Please see the IMF Web site for more information.

NCI Designs MGUS/Smoldering Myeloma Study – Researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are in the process of developing a prospective study with the goal of identifying causes of transformation from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering myeloma (both asymptomatic, pre-malignant disorders) to multiple myeloma. The study will enroll 350 patients with MGUS or smoldering myeloma in the United States and follow them for up to five years. For more information, please contact the research nurse for this study, Mary Ann Yancey, at (301) 435-9227 or yanceym@mail.nih.gov.

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

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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 in people with multiple myeloma and MGUS.  Their results…

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Innate Pharma And Celgene To Collaborate On Trial Combining Revlimid With IPH 2101 Therapies – Innate Pharma and Celgene will collaborate to evaluate the clinical potential of Celgene’s Revlimid (lenalidomide) plus Innate Pharma’s IPH 2101 in myeloma patients who have failed first-line therapy. In vitro studies on myeloma cell lines have shown that the two drugs may have a synergistic effect. Innate Pharma hopes to submit a request with the Food and Drug Administration in early 2010 to receive authorization to administer the drugs in humans. For more information, please see the Innate Pharma press release.  

Myeloma UK Launches The Innovative Myeloma Clinical Trial Network – The Clinical Trial Network will design and manage a portfolio of early phase trials of myeloma drugs by drawing on a collaboration of clinical specialists, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and the National Health Service’s regulatory bodies. Eight research centers around the UK will be involved in the trials included in the portfolio. Myeloma patients will be able to take part in the trials at these centers. The first trials are expected to begin recruiting patients in early 2010. For more information, please visit the Myeloma UK Web site.

Peter Boyle Memorial Raises $700,000 For The IMF – The Third Annual Peter Boyle Memorial raised $700,000 for the International Myeloma Foundation. The event was launched three years ago by Boyle’s widow to help fund the battle against multiple myeloma. For more information, please visit the Los Angeles Times Web site.

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Coverage Of Velcade For Myeloma Is Expanded In Scotland – The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has approved the use of Velcade (bortezomib) for multiple myeloma patients who have relapsed after at least one prior therapy and who have previously undergone or are unable to receive a bone marrow transplant. Previously, Scottish patients were required to fail at least two treatments before being eligible to receive Velcade. Under the deal, Velcade’s manufacturer, Janssen-Cilag, has agreed to cover the cost of Velcade for any patients who do not respond to the treatment. It was announced in March that the National Health Service in Scotland would begin considering such cost sharing deals (related Beacon news). For more information, please visit the SMC Web site.

Kansas City Area Regional Community Workshop – On November 21, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will hold a workshop in Overland Park, KS. The guest speaker, Delva Deauna-Limayo, M.D., a myeloma specialist at the Nevada Cancer Institute in Las Vegas will talk about multiple myeloma, treatment options at diagnosis and relapse, why participation in clinical trials is important, and management of side effects. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. For more information or to register, please visit the IMF Web site.

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

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UAMS Receives $19.5 Million Grant For Multiple Myeloma Program – The Myeloma Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will receive $19.5 million over five years from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The grant is the fourth renewal of continuous funding from the NCI and will allow for continued research on myeloma and the development of new treatments. For more information, please visit the UAMS Web site.

MMRF’s Fall Gala Raises Over $1.8 Million For Multiple Myeloma Research – The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) raised more than $1.8 million at its annual Fall Gala. The funds will support myeloma research and the development of new treatments. For more information, please visit the MMRF Web site.

3rd Annual Comedy Celebration – The International Myeloma Foundation’s (IMF) 3rd annual Comedy Celebration will take place on November 7 at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre & Club in Los Angeles. It will benefit the Peter Boyle Memorial Fund and will feature Ray Romano, Jimmey Kimmel, and Bob Saget, along with many others. For more information, please visit the IMF Web site.

World Run Day – On November 8, a 5K run will take place in multiple locations around the world. Among the charities which will receive funds from donations is the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). For more information, please visit the World Run Day Web site.

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