Multiple Myeloma

A new trial reported improved overall survival in myeloma patients who received a higher bortezomib dose as part of a bortezomib/melphalan/prednisone regimen.

Cigarette smoking is not a risk factor for multiple myeloma, according to the results of a pooled analysis of nine case-control studies.

The addition of daratumumab to traditional therapies used in the treatment of multiple myeloma was well tolerated and associated with high rates of responses.

Early trial data support further evaluation of ixazomib combined with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Survivors of multiple myeloma and pancreatic cancer may have some of the poorest physical health-related quality of life outcomes, according to a new study.

Patients who experienced early relapse of multiple myeloma after undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation had worse progression-free and overall survival.

Myeloma patients treated with melphalan prior to transplant had reductions in chemo-induced nausea/vomiting when given granisetron/dexamethasone and aprepitant.

Panobinostat added to bortezomib/dexamethasone for treating relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma improved progression-free survival and complete response rates.

Multiple myeloma patients may already suffer from sensory deficits prior to treatment, likely due to disease-related decreases in peripheral innervation density.

The optimal treatment strategy for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma is consolidation with melphalan, stem-cell transplantation, then lenalidomide maintenance.

Continuous treatment with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone improved progression-free and overall survival in transplant-ineligible multiple myeloma patients.

Treatment with bortezomib prior to autologous stem cell transplant resulted in superior outcomes in multiple myeloma patients with end-stage renal failure.

In a phase I trial, the oral AKT inhibitor afuresertib demonstrated single-agent activity against hematologic malignancies, specifically multiple myeloma.

Researchers from Japan believe they have identified a novel staging system based on hemoglobin and plasmacytoma that may help to stratify patients with multiple myeloma who are treated with novel therapeutics.

Carfilzomib given at a higher dose as a slow intravenous infusion over 30 minutes resulted in a very high response rate in a heavily pretreated myeloma population.

A comparison of melphalan, prednisone plus either thalidomide or lenalidomide found that patients assigned to lenalidomide had fewer grade 3 or higher toxicities and a better quality of life at the end of induction therapy.

Treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma with the three-drug combination of panobinostat/bortezomib/dexamethasone resulted in a nearly 4-month improvement in progression-free survival compared to treatment with bortezomib/dexamethasone alone.

A phase II trial of propylene glycol-free melphalan in patients with multiple myeloma has met its primary endpoint, according to a statement released by the drug manufacturer.

The NICE announced that newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients will be guaranteed access to treatment with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (Velcade).

The novel experimental drug sotatercept increased bone mineral density and bone formation in patients with osteolytic lesions of multiple myeloma who had not used bisphosphonates, a phase II study showed.

Results of a new study indicate that half of patients with multiple myeloma were referred to specialist palliative care.

The combination of bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone resulted in a partial response or better in more than 60% of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, according to results of a phase II trial.

Results of a large meta-analysis indicated that treatment with lenalidomide for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma was associated with an increased risk for developing secondary hematologic malignancies.

Results from a phase I/II trial indicate that carfilzomib may be a safe and effective substitute for bortezomib in multiple myeloma patients whose disease progressed during treatment with a bortezomib-containing regimen.

More than one-third of African American patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance or multiple myeloma were found to have an inherited risk factor for the disease, according to the results of a European study.

The International Myeloma Working Group recently released a consensus statement updating recommendations for the management and treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who are not eligible for standard autologous stem-cell transplantation.

Two alternative multiple myeloma plasma cell surface markers have been identified and could be important for subclassification, prognostication, and treatment stratification of patients with multiple myeloma.

The adverse event profile of single-agent carfilzomib suggests that the agent is an important treatment option for patients with advanced multiple myeloma, particularly those with pre-existing peripheral neuropathy or those who are at risk for the development of peripheral neuropathy.

This article reviews the hematologic safety profile of carfilzomib in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, as assessed in a cross-trial safety analysis of four phase II studies, and makes recommendations for the appropriate management of hematologic adverse events.

Patients able to achieve stringent complete response after undergoing autologous stem-cell transplantation for multiple myeloma achieved improved long-term outcomes, including overall survival and time to progression, compared with patients who achieved lesser levels of response.