The results of a small Spanish study indicate that heavy/light chain ratios may be a prognostic marker for myeloma patients.

Specifically, the Spanish researchers found that multiple myeloma patients who experienced elevated heavy/light chain ratios after achieving complete remission following a stem cell transplant had longer progression-free and overall survival rates than patients who did not experience elevated heavy/light chain ratios.

According to the study investigators, these results show for the first time the association between a heavy/light chain ratio and sustained remission in myeloma patients.

However, larger follow-up studies…

In a recently published article, two myeloma experts discussed the role of autologous stem cell transplantation as an initial line of therapy in myeloma patients. The debate centered on the limited evidence supporting stem cell transplants in the context of newer, alternative treatment options.

An autologous stem cell transplant is a procedure in which stem cells are collected from a patient prior to high-dose chemotherapy and later re-infused into the body to replace the cells that were destroyed by chemotherapy.

The results of two randomized trials show that patients who…

According to a small Italian study, multiple myeloma patients being treated for spinal fractures face a slightly lower risk of cement leakage following kyphoplasty compared to vertebroplasty.

Additionally, the Italian researchers found that several factors, including thicker cement, prior treatment with bone marrow transplantation, and injecting no more than 2 mL of cement regardless of the number of vertebrae being treated, are associated with a lower leakage risk.

Based on these findings, the researchers consider both vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty safe treatment options for myeloma-related spinal lesions. However, they point out…

A group of multiple myeloma experts from the International Myeloma Working Group recently published a review of management strategies for drug-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with multiple myeloma.

This Beacon article, the third in a three-part series, summarizes the experts’ recommendations for prevention of peripheral neuropathy as well as future steps toward better management of the condition.

The first article in the series describes peripheral neuropathy and summarizes the symptoms of drug-induced neuropathy as well as the risk of developing neuropathy associated with myeloma therapies.  The second…

A group of multiple myeloma experts from the International Myeloma Working Group recently published a review of management strategies for drug-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with multiple myeloma.

This Beacon article, the second in a three-part series, summarizes the experts’ recommendations for the treatment of drug-induced peripheral neuropathy.

The first article in the series describes peripheral neuropathy and summarizes the symptoms of drug-induced neuropathy as well as the risk of developing neuropathy associated with myeloma therapies.  A third article will summarize the experts’ recommendations for prevention of peripheral neuropathy…