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Inhibition Of MAGE-C1/CT7 Increases Sensitivity Of Myeloma Cells To Velcade – Results of a recent Brazilian study show that inhibiting the MAGE-C1/CT7 gene in myeloma cells increases their sensitivity to Velcade (bortezomib). Specifically, researchers found that Velcade decreased the number of dividing myeloma cells by 48 percent when the cells were inhibited from activating the MAGE-C1/CT7 gene; in comparison, when the cells were allowed to activate the gene, Velcade decreased the number of dividing myeloma cells by between 9 percent and 13 percent. The researchers also observed an increased frequency of programmed cell death when inhibited myeloma cells were treated with Velcade. Based on these results, the study authors concluded that the MAGE-C1/CT7 gene protects myeloma cells against the anti-cancer effects of Velcade. They speculated that targeting this gene could be a strategy for future multiple myeloma therapies. For more information, please see the article in the journal PLoS ONE.

GO-Y030 And GO-Y078 Inhibit Myeloma Cell Growth – Results of a recent Japanese study indicate that the molecules GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 suppress the growth of myeloma cells by inhibiting signaling pathways within the cells. GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 are synthetic variants of curcumin, a substance found in the Indian spice turmeric. In this study, researchers found that GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 were 7 to 12 times more effective at suppressing the growth of myeloma cells than curcumin. Moreover, GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 were 6 to 15 times more effective at inhibiting signaling pathways in myeloma cells and 14 times more effective at suppressing production of interleukin-6, a protein responsible for myeloma cell growth. Based on these results, the study authors concluded that GO-Y030 and GO-Y078 are potential candidates for future anti-myeloma therapies. For more information, please see the article in the journal Anticancer Research (abstract).

LLS Web Cast: Making Cancer Treatment Decisions – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will be hosting a web cast tomorrow at 1 p.m. EST about making cancer treatment decisions. Topics covered include questions patients should ask to make informed treatment decisions, benefits and risks of standard treatments, clinical trial design and participation, and financial considerations related to cancer treatment. Dr. Gail J. Roboz of Weill Medical College in New York and Beth Patterson of Mission Delivery in Hampton, VA will speak at the event. For more information about the event or to register, please visit the Leukemia & Lymphoma website.

Multiple Myeloma Educational Program – An educational program for multiple myeloma patients will be held on December 7 in St. Louis, MO. Multiple myeloma specialist Dr. Keith Stockerl-Goldstein will speak about treatment options for myeloma patients as well as answer patients’ questions. Multiple myeloma patient Karl V. will also speak about his experiences. Registration will begin at 6 p.m., and the program will start at 6:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by Millennium, the manufacturer of Velcade. For more information or to register, please 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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J&J Announces Shortage Of Doxil – Johnson & Johnson announced manufacturing delays last week that will result in a temporary shortage of Doxil (doxorubicin liposomal), which is approved in combination with Velcade (bortezomib) for previously treated multiple myeloma patients.  The company is estimating that shipments of Doxil will resume in late August and asked physicians not to start any new patients on Doxil until then.  Last month, the company informed doctors about the potential shortage so physicians could discuss treatment options with their patients who might be affected by the shortage.  For more information, see the Johnson & Johnson announcement about the shortage.  Updates on the situation will be available on the Doxil website.

Children Raise $8.4 Million In Spare Change To Support LLS – Students across the United States recently raised $8.4 million for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to fund research for blood cancers, including multiple myeloma, as well as provide services and support for blood cancer patients. The students put collection jars in their classrooms and collected spare change over a three-week period during this past school year.  The top fundraising class at each school received a pasta party from Olive Garden.  Over the past 17 years, this program has raised more than $61 million for the LLS.  For more information, see the Olive Garden press release.

Multiple Myeloma Educational Program – An educational program for multiple myeloma patients will be held on August 6 in Richmond, VA. A physician specializing in multiple myeloma will talk about treatment options for myeloma patients as well as answer attendee’s questions. A multiple myeloma patient will also speak about his experiences. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the program will start at 10 a.m. at the Westin Richmond. The event is sponsored by Millennium, the manufacturer of Velcade. For more information, see the Beacon event description or 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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Myeloma Experts From The John Theurer Cancer Center To Field Questions At The Beacon Forums Next Week – During the week of May 23 through 27, multiple myeloma patients and caregivers will have the opportunity to get expert answers to their myeloma-related questions.  Myeloma experts Dr. David Siegel and Dr. David Vesole from the John Theurer Cancer Center in Hackensack, NJ, will answer medical questions posted to the Beacon’s multiple myeloma forums throughout the week.  Research at the John Theurer Cancer Center was instrumental in getting Velcade (bortezomib) approved to treat myeloma.  The center is currently conducting studies on carfilzomib and pomalidomide and was also involved with the myeloma genome sequencing project that was published earlier this year.  Beacon readers are encouraged to begin posting their questions in the forums.

Acetylon And LLS Partner To Develop ACY-1215 For Multiple Myeloma – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) recently partnered with Acetylon Pharmaceuticals to support a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of Acetylon’s drug candidate ACY-1215 for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.  ACY-1215 is an HDAC inhibitor like myeloma drug candidates Zolinza (vorinostat) and panobinostat.  However, ACY-1215 is intended to be more selective than other HDAC inhibitors, meaning that it may have higher efficacy and fewer side effects. The Phase 1/2 study will investigate the safety and efficacy of ACY-1215 alone and in combination with Velcade and dexamethasone (Decadron).  Under the agreement, the LLS will provide up to $4.85 million to cover half of the projected costs of the clinical trial.  For more information, please see the Acetylon press release or the clinical trial description.

MMRF Laugh For Life Raises Money for Myeloma Research – The 9^th annual Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Laugh for Life comedy event held on Monday raised over $620,000.  The money will be used to support the development of new treatments for multiple myeloma.  Cat Greenleaf served as Master of Ceremonies, and comedians John Pinette and Sherry Davey performed.  Additionally, Geraldine Ferraro, who passed away from complications of myeloma in March, was honored with the MMRF Spirit of Hope Award at the event.  For more information, see the MMRF press release.

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Dr. Edward Libby To Serve As The Myeloma Beacon’s First Medical Advisor – As a medical advisor for The Myeloma Beacon, Dr. Edward Libby, an associate professor of hematology and oncology at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center who specializes in multiple myeloma and other blood cancers, will be available to comment on current research results as well as answer select medical questions posted to the Beacon’s multiple myeloma forums.  For more information about getting your medical question answered by a Beacon Medical Advisor, please see the instructions in the forums.

European Carfilzomib Trial To Be Expanded – Onyx Pharmaceuticals, the company developing carfilzomib, announced last week that it will expand the Phase 3 European clinical trial investigating the safety and efficacy of carfilzomib in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients.  Patient enrollment will be increased from 84 to 300.  In addition, the main goal of the study will be to evaluate carfilzomib’s impact on overall survival, instead of progression-free survival.  The changes are being made based on preliminary results of a Phase 2b carfilzomib study that showed promising overall survival rates in relapsed / refractory myeloma patients (see related Beacon news).  For more information about the expanded trial, see the Onyx Pharmaceuticals press release.

Teleconference On Advances In Myeloma Treatment – On April 12, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will sponsor a free teleconference call entitled “Advances in Myeloma Treatment and Side Effects Management.”  The call will begin at noon Eastern Time and will be lead by Dr. Edward Stadtmauer, director of the bone marrow and stem cell transplant program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center.  He will also speak about clinical trial participation and quality of life issues for myeloma patients.  After his talk, Dr. Stadtmauer will answer questions from participants.  For more information or to register, please see the LLS website.

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

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Phase 2 Study Of AT9283 Is Initiated For Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma – The NCIC National Clinical Trials Group has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial studying the developmental drug AT9283 in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients. The trial will take place at several treatment centers in Canada. AT9283, which is being developed by Astex Therapeutics, inhibits cell division and has been shown in pre-clinical studies to stop the growth of multiple myeloma cells. Phase 1 clinical trials have tested AT9283 for safety in patients with a number of blood cancers and solid tumors. For more information, see the Astex press release and the clinical trial description.

Turkey Trots To Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Three Turkey Trots will take place in New York State on Thanksgiving (November 25) to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The Turkey Trots will take place in Garden City, Smithtown, and Massapequa. Participants have the choice between runs of several different distances. For more information, see the event websites.

Myeloma Symposium In Germany – An information session for multiple myeloma patients will be held on November 18 in Freiburg, Germany. There will be several presentations about new developments and therapies in myeloma as well as a question and answer session. The event will be held at the University of Freiburg and will begin at 5 p.m. For more information, see the Myeloma Euronet website (pdf in German).

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