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Results of a small French study support previous findings that Revlimid in combination with dexamethasone is effective in elderly patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.

Importantly, the researchers found that almost a third of responding patients could remain on therapy following dose adjustments, which, according to the researchers, highlights “the need for a personalized therapeutic approach according to patient age and vulnerability.” 

Revlimid (lenalidomide) in combination with dexamethasone (Decadron) is a standard therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.  Patients are typically prescribed a starting dose of 25 mg of…

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According to a recent Swedish study, a family history of blood clots has a greater impact on the risk of developing blood clots in multiple myeloma patients than in the general population.

“There are probably synergistic effects; i.e., if you have a family history [of blood clots] and multiple myeloma, the risk is more then the sum of the individual risks,” explained Dr. Sigurdur Kristinsson of the Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden and lead investigator of the study.

Based on the study’s findings, Dr. Kristinsson said, “Perhaps family history should…

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My dog, Kodi, died suddenly the other day.  He was 15 years old.

I know, you’re asking, what does that have to do with multiple myeloma?

Let me try to explain.

When I was diagnosed in 2006, and by the time I ended up at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, I was in really bad shape.  Or so they tell me.  So much so, that I’m told that I’m fortunate to be alive today.

When I found myself unexpectedly admitted to the hospital for about two weeks while they slowly pulled…

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Health Canada Approves Subcutaneous Velcade – Janssen, the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary that markets Velcade (bortezomib) outside of the United States, announced last week that Health Canada has approved the subcutaneous (under-the-skin) administration of Velcade for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Subcutaneous Velcade has been shown to be as effective as intravenous Velcade but is associated with fewer and less severe side effects. The Canadian approval follows the approval of subcutaneous Velcade in the U.S. in January (see related Beacon news). For more information, please see the Janssen press release.

Threshold Pharmaceuticals Begins Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Of TH-302 For Multiple Myeloma – Threshold Pharmaceuticals last week announced the start of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of its investigational drug TH-302 for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of TH-302 alone or in combination with Velcade in myeloma patients who have received at least two prior lines of therapy. TH-302 is a drug that is activated under low oxygen level conditions, which are common in tumors and the bone marrow of people with blood cancers. It is currently also being investigated in a range of solid tumors. For more information about the study or enrollment, please see the Threshold press release or the clinical trial description.

MUC1-2-VNTR Vaccine May Be Active Against Myeloma – The results of a recent preclinical study demonstrate that the DNA vaccine MUC1-2-VNTR delays tumor growth and extends the survival time of mice with multiple myeloma. The vaccine produces an immune response that specifically targets tumors, showing promise as a potential treatment for myeloma. For more information, see the study in Oncology Reports (abstract).

Living With Myeloma Conference – On March 24, the Arizona Myeloma Network will be hosting a free, regional conference for myeloma patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Presentations by myeloma experts will address developments in myeloma research, treatment issues, and supportive care services. For more information or to register, please visit the Arizona Myeloma Network website.

IMF Patient And Family Seminar – The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will be holding a seminar for multiple myeloma patients and their families on March 23 and 24 in Seattle, WA. Dr. Brian Durie from the Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles, Dr. Bill Bensinger from the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center in Seattle, and Dr. Keith Stewart from the Mayo Clinic Arizona will present on topics including treatment advances, managing side effects, and new clinical trials. 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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Results of a small Phase 2 study show that newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients achieve similar response rates with alternating weeks of Revlimid and thalidomide in combination with dexamethasone as patients receiving Revlimid with dexamethasone or thalidomide with dexamethasone.

The study investigators point out that the alternating regimen was well tolerated even though Revlimid was administered at a higher than usual dose of 50 mg per day. However, the regimen was not, as they had hoped, more effective than either Revlimid (lenalidomide) or thalidomide (Thalomid) alone in combination…