News

People with chronic diseases value the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, more than Americans in general, a survey by PatientsLikeMe has found. They are also less likely to want Obamacare repealed, claiming that the ACA needs only minor modifications to improve it. Expanding coverage for pre-existing conditions, holding insurance companies accountable,…

A new immunotherapy using natural killer cells showed promise in a small proof-of-concept Phase 1 trial of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients who also received anti-myeloma treatment. Although the trial suggested the treatment is safe and effective, larger studies are needed to determine if the cells really help patients…

Multiple myeloma patients older than 65 years benefit as much as younger patients from autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), according to a recent retrospective study. But although the study showed that progression-free survival (PFS) is as good in seniors as in younger patients, no evidence was found for similar survival…

A combination treatment of four drugs including the chemotherapy agent Alkeran (melphalan) gives excellent short-term outcomes in multiple myeloma patients who undergo stem cell transplants, a recent study found. Researchers emphasized, however, that randomized clinical trials with long-term follow-ups are needed to clearly demonstrate that this approach is better than…

The use of Revlimid (lenalidomide) as a maintenance therapy for adult patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who underwent autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) has received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). The European Commission, which generally follows…

Combination treatment with Velcade (bortezomib) and Thalomid (thalidomide) may significantly improve survival of multiple myeloma patients who received a stem cell transplant, according to recent results of a Phase 3 trial. The study, “Bortezomib And Thalidomide Maintenance After Stem-Cell Transplantation For Multiple Myeloma: A PETHEMA/GEM trial,” was published in…

Cellectar Biosciences has been granted a U.S. patent for the method of use for the compounds CLR 131 and CLR 125 in the treatment of a broad range of cancers. The new patent for CLR 131 — which is already being developed for the treatment of hematological cancers like multiple…

Patients with bone metastasis due to multiple myeloma, breast or prostate cancer, who received zoledronic acid every 12 weeks for two years, did not have increased risk of skeletal-related events compared to patients who received the drug every four weeks, researchers have found. The study, “Effect of Longer-Interval vs Standard Dosing of…

The Kerry and Simone Vickar Family Foundation has committed $2 million to establish an endowed chair in their name at the Levine Cancer Institute, to support academic and clinical research in hematologic oncology and blood disorders, like myeloma. Chaired positions are usually endowed, meaning that funding for the…

A new type of dendritic cell-based immunotherapy triggered an immune response in the majority of patients in a small Phase 1 trial (NCT02248402) of relapsed or treatment-resistant multiple myeloma. But that was not enough to combat the cancer, as the best clinical response was a temporary stabilization of disease.