Marta Figueiredo, PhD, Managing Science Editor —

A new approach using genetically modified T-cells — via CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology — safely and effectively targets cancer cells in patients with advanced multiple myeloma, preliminary data from a U.S.-based Phase 1 study show. Despite their preliminary nature, researchers believe these findings raise hope that this approach…

U.S. blood cancer specialists are aware of recent approvals for multiple myeloma patients and expect to increase their use of Darzalex (daratumumab) as first-line combination therapy, as well as Xpovio (selinexor) as a fifth-line combination therapy, according to a survey conducted by market research firm Spherix Global…

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended that Darzalex (daratumumab) be approved in Europe, in combination with Revlimid (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone, as a first-line treatment for multiple myeloma patients who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Janssen announced the positive opinion by the EMA’s Committee for…

Designing CAR T-cells to specifically target GPRC5D — a protein appreciably present on the surface of myeloma cells — may be a safe and effective therapy against multiple myeloma, a preclinical study shows. The study, “GPRC5D is a target for the immunotherapy of multiple myeloma with…

Kalytera’s cannabidiol (CBD) compound efficiently prevents graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients receiving bone marrow transplants from matched unrelated donors, interim data from a Phase 2 study show. Considering the study’s positive results so far, the company announced that it will halt the Phase 2 study and proceed directly…

Researchers have identified three genetic alterations associated with the known twofold to threefold risk of multiple myeloma among African-Americans. The study, “Differences in genomic abnormalities among African individuals with monoclonal gammopathies using calculated ancestry,” was published in the Blood Cancer Journal. Multiple myeloma is the most…

Adding BioLineRx‘s BL-8040 to standard treatment greatly improves the mobilization of blood stem cells to be collected for stem cell transplants in patients with multiple myeloma, according to interim data of a Phase 3 study. High doses of chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant —…

Genetic analysis of multiple myeloma DNA from two different sources present in blood samples provides researchers equally relevant cancer information as more invasive bone marrow biopsies, a study shows. This advancement could enable more frequent follow-ups and better monitoring of cancer progression, treatment responses, and relapses with a less-invasive method like…

A multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment reduced a common painful side effect of Velcade (bortezomib) in a mouse model, suggesting that it might help myeloma patients complete their treatment and ease the persistent pain of myeloma survivors. Findings were published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, in…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Darzalex (daratumumab) in combination with standard therapy for the treatment of patients with newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma who are not eligible for stem cell transplants, according to Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Darzalex, created by Genmab, and developed and commercialized by Janssen Pharmaceuticals,…