3-Drug Combination 'Extremely Promising' As First-Line Therapy For Multiple Myeloma

A new combination of bortezomib (Velcade) and two other drugs is showing a very high response rate in patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a team headed by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology.

The three-pronged regimen of Velcade, lenalidomide (Revlimid) and dexamethasone – referred to as Rev/Vel/Dex – has achieved an overall response rate of 98 percent in 42 patients evaluated thus far in a Phase 1-2 trial, said Paul Richardson, MD, of Dana-Farber and the study’s principal investigator. He added that 52 percent of the patients had high quality responses (very good partial response or better), with 30 percent achieving complete response to date.

Full article:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-12/dci-tc121107.

Best regards,

Craig Persel 

Well done Craig!  How are you able to keep your finger so accurately on the pulse of what is going on in the field of chemical development for myeloma??  I really appreciate your broad spectrum approach to all the information that you find, bringing it to the attention of everyone so that they may choose whether or not to follow it up.  Thank you so much for thinking of all of us and sharing the knowledge as you find it!  Best wishes for the coming holiday season!!  Cath

Thank you. I'm a researcher in the field of traumatic brain injury, so have tried (since my wife's diagnosis with MM) to apply those skills to gathering the latest scientific information on Myeloma. I do this in hopes of being able to help both my wife and others with MM make more informed choices regarding this complicated and difficult condition.

I wish everyone all the strength and a great holiday season.

Craig 

I am 70 yo male in remission since July. I was diagnosed with MM in mid March 2007. My Dr at Houston area cancer clinic started me on the RevVelDex therapy right away. I went into complete remission late July. Currently on maintenance of 5mg Rev. Have a minor spike in M protein last two months. Other readings normal. Dr consulting with MD Anderson and conclude that this happens in some cases but usually goes back to zero. So far I feel great and am thankful that they chose the treatment that has worked so well.

 Cold War Vet

My sister Denys has had no luck at all towards remission.  She was diagnosed August of 2006.  She was first put on Revilimid which stopped working.  Then she underwent a Stem Cell Transplant which also failed and actually doubled her Myeloma.

Then she was put on Velcade.  She has terrible nerve damage to her legs. The MM has also gone into both Tibia's as well as her pelvis and groin.  She has not been on any Chemo for a month now.   She has undergone Radiation and it didn't seem to help "At All" . She has two lumps that she found on her back that will be biopsied today. She has been in the hospital in Tampa since Monday December 31st.  Today is the day we will find out if the lumps are beign or maligant.  The Dr. has her on Lycria for the pain along with Oxycotton and a morphine drip. She is not ready to give up and just die.  My sister is very strong and her mind is as sharp as a tack.

Her Dr. feels the Velcade has contribued to the extreme pain in her leg.

He is looking to put her on Doxil along with the Velcade after all the tests are done and the facts are in.

I am wondering if this 3-drug combination would be better for her.  Denys has a severe form of Myeloma (very aggressive).  We are at the end of our ropes. My poor sister is suffering so much.  This past year and half she has had no good news and everyday is a struggle for her to say the least.

I am going to mention this to her, so maybe she could ask her Dr.

Thanks so much,

Susan

 

On 1/2/2008 Bayshore wrote:

My sister Denys has had no luck at all towards remission.  She was diagnosed August of 2006.  She was first put on Revilimid which stopped working.  Then she underwent a Stem Cell Transplant which also failed and actually doubled her Myeloma.

Then she was put on Velcade.  She has terrible nerve damage to her legs. The MM has also gone into both Tibia's as well as her pelvis and groin.  She has not been on any Chemo for a month now.   She has undergone Radiation and it didn't seem to help "At All" . She has two lumps that she found on her back that will be biopsied today. She has been in the hospital in Tampa since Monday December 31st.  Today is the day we will find out if the lumps are beign or maligant.  The Dr. has her on Lycria for the pain along with Oxycotton and a morphine drip. She is not ready to give up and just die.  My sister is very strong and her mind is as sharp as a tack.

Her Dr. feels the Velcade has contribued to the extreme pain in her leg.

He is looking to put her on Doxil along with the Velcade after all the tests are done and the facts are in.

I am wondering if this 3-drug combination would be better for her.  Denys has a severe form of Myeloma (very aggressive).  We are at the end of our ropes. My poor sister is suffering so much.  This past year and half she has had no good news and everyday is a struggle for her to say the least.

I am going to mention this to her, so maybe she could ask her Dr.

Thanks so much,

Susan

I would definitely mention the 3-drug combo to the doctor. There is another possible treatment, but it is very risky and that is a stem cell transplant from a matched donor. I believe the failure rate is 30%+, but if it works it is essentially a cure. Not sure if that is a possible option for your sister or not.

The very best to you and your family.

Craig