Tanespimycin Is Likely To Be A Biggy In Multiple Myeloma (Mm)

From article:

Implications: Tanespimycin is a new class of antineoplastic drugs Tanespimycin has demonstrated additive if not synergistic interaction with Velcade based MM txs Tanespimycin has a desirable iv infusion route of administration ( ROA)

Analysis:  Tanespimycin is a new class of drugs known as heat shock protein inhibitors (HSP). The popularity of Velcade in the treratment of MM as emphasized in recent ASH meeting will only encourage use of this drug. Whats even more importnt is that the 80% cancer treatemnt facitities would like to see an infusional agent availble to treat MM as they are not very happy with the work of getting the oral drugs for patients without any revenue for their effort. I think this drug has muach going for it.

Regards,

Craig Persel 

Hi Craig ~~ I followed this up on the net and it does indeed sound promising!  This is just the sort of thing that I have been looking for -- what is actually happening with NEW sorts of things in combination with the latest 'novel' drugs.  I've book marked this site, along with the Novartis site for LBH 589, and will continue to do it for whatever else comes up so that when Revlimid no longer works for me I will be able to go == list in hand== to my doctor and start the process of elimination to determine what we will try next!!  I had seriously thought of pushing for a transplant, even though they told me that I was not a 'suitable' candidate, but after reading several messages by people who have had failed transplants, I've decided not to try for one. Please keep researching -- you come up with the best information!!  Thanks, Cath

 

On 1/12/2008 poppy/cath wrote:

Hi Craig ~~ I followed this up on the net and it does indeed sound promising!  This is just the sort of thing that I have been looking for -- what is actually happening with NEW sorts of things in combination with the latest 'novel' drugs.  I've book marked this site, along with the Novartis site for LBH 589, and will continue to do it for whatever else comes up so that when Revlimid no longer works for me I will be able to go == list in hand== to my doctor and start the process of elimination to determine what we will try next!!  I had seriously thought of pushing for a transplant, even though they told me that I was not a 'suitable' candidate, but after reading several messages by people who have had failed transplants, I've decided not to try for one. Please keep researching -- you come up with the best information!!  Thanks, Cath

I try and keep up with the new medications coming online or in their last clinical trial phase for exactly the reasons you describe. Something to replace a medication when it starts losing its effectiveness.

My wife has also been very hesitant about getting a transplant. She doesn't really want to do it .. and like you ... I've read in this forum about the many situations where it hasn't worked that well. It does appears that the techniques prescribed by the physicians at the Universities of Arkansas and Utah (more intensive chemo surrounding the transplant) seem to have better outcomes.

There are many esoteric/exotic MM trials going on out there, so lets hope that one or more of them really change the face of treatment and take it to ever higher levels of effectiveness.

Regards,

Craig 

 

I don't know Craig whether the more intensive chemo helps or not with the transplant.  When I was first diagnosed and started going to seminars I found that I was one of the few people who had been told that having a transplant was contrindicated.  I use to feel jealous because it seemed to me that those who had transplants seemed to live longer and I wasn't being given that chance.  Since then I have survived four-five years, and now I realise that I wasn't seeing ALL the transplant patients, only those who HAD survived.  Now I'm readiing more and more about others who have regressed as a result of having a transplant and, at least, I'm no longer jealous.  The reason given for not doing it was that I am so sensitive to so many drugs that they wouldn't be able to dose me up to the state where it would be possible to even harvest.  So, at 61 I'm not going to be able to have a transplant and will have to rely on all of these other trials and drugs in the pipeline. But that picture is getting brighter and brighter and I feel very hopeful.  Best wishes to your wife - she is certainly lucky to have you in her corner, as are we all!!  Cath

Very, very interesting information as to why they didn't recommend you for a transplant. My wife is also extremely sensitive to medications and has repeatedly said that doesn't think she would be able to survive the medication-aspect of the process.

The "numbers" do indicate that length of life is extended with transplants, but ... that is a very generalized statistic and certainly doesn't mean that there are those that should not include a transplant procedure. My sense is that they will begin to more accurately identify those that should vs. those that shouldn't. You definitely made the right choice for your situation and I've learned a tremendous amount of valuable information from your knowledge and experience.

Take care.

Craig