Hematology Times
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MyelomaVMPT emerges as new standard for older MM patients
Multiple myeloma cells
The Italian Multiple Myeloma Network, GIMEMA, has confirmed that a 4-drug combination followed by maintenance is superior to the current best standard therapy—bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone (VMP)—for elderly patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The addition of thalidomide to VMP “dramatically increased the response rate,” according to Antonio Palumbo, MD, of the University of Torino in Italy, from 24% with VMP to 38% with VMPT. He presented the phase 3 results at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology held recently in Chicago. ... [Read Article] Lenalidomide maintenance reduces recurrence in MM
Multiple myeloma cells
Lenalidomide maintenance therapy halved the recurrence rate in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) following first-line autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in a 24-month interim analsyis of a phase 3 study presented at an oral session of the 2010 Annual Meeting of ASCO, held here. “This 24-month interim analysis suggests that lenalidomide may be the first effective maintenance therapy for MM,” said lead investigator Michel Attal, MD, of Purpan Hospital in Toulouse, France, speaking for the Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome. ... [Read Article] MYC linked to survival in MM
Leif Bergsagel, MD
MYC activation plays a key role in the prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM), according to an expert in the field. A speaker at the recent 15th Congress of the European Hematology Association cited a myriad of research indicating that MYC is important to the pathogenesis of MM. His latest research takes that finding a step further, suggesting that MYC activation is linked to survival in MM patients. ... [Read Article] Zoledronic acid improves survival in MM patients
Multiple myeloma cells
Adding the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid to first-line chemotherapy significantly improves survival for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients, according to the results of a large phase 3 trial. “Zoledronic acid is superior to clodronate for the prevention of SREs in patients with newly diagnosed MM and prolongs overall survival versus clodronate,” said Dr Gareth Morgan of Royal Marsden Hospital, London ... [Read Article] Is FISH still important in MM risk stratification?
Multiple myeloma cells
The modern era of myeloma therapy seems to abrogate the effects of poor-risk cytogenetics, which may leave some physicians asking if cytogenetics by FISH are still necessary for risk stratification of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients. At Great Debates and Updates in Hematologic Malignancies, held April 30 and May 1 in New York City, Sagar Lonial, MD, highlighted the continued importance of cytogenetics by FISH for risk stratification. S. Vincent Rajkumar, MD, argued that while risk stratification is still important, FISH is no longer a necessary prognostic indicator. ... [Read Article] |
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