Articles

This multicenter, retrospective, real-world study (GEM-POMCIDEX) was initiated to evaluate the effectiveness of the guidelines established by the Spanish Myeloma Group (PETHEMA) to treat appropriate patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) with pomalidomide, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (POMCIDEX). Read More ›

San Diego, CA—Analysis of healthcare utilization among Medicare beneficiaries with multiple myeloma suggests that the setting of autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) has a significant impact on provider reimbursement and out-of-pocket expenses for patients, according to data presented at ASH 2018.

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San Diego, CA—The results of a phase 2 clinical trial presented at ASH 2018 suggest that early therapeutic intervention is beneficial in patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma. Read More ›

A dizzying array of new chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies targeting the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) designed specifically for the treatment of multiple myeloma was presented at the 2018 American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting. BCMA-targeted CAR T-cell therapies are designed to improve T-cell persistence, depth of response, and tolerability. Response rates reported at ASH 2018 range from 70% to 100%, depending on the patient population and the use of previous regimens. Read More ›

In the CHAMPION-1 study, patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and 1 to 3 previous regimens who received once-weekly carfilzomib had a 77% overall response rate and a median PFS of 12.6 months. Read More ›

The results of the phase 3 OPTIMISMM clinical trial showed a 39% risk reduction in disease progression or death with pomalidomide, bortezomib, and low-dose dexamethasone compared with bortezomib and low-dose dexamethasone alone. Read More ›

The second-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, bb2121, engineered to target B-cell maturation antigen, a protein on the surface of certain myeloma cells, displayed continuing efficacy and safety in an update of a phase 1 clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

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Once-weekly carfilzomib (Kyprolis) therapy at a higher dose significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and reduced the risk of disease progression or death compared with twice-weekly carfilzomib in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The overall safety profile for both regimens in the randomized phase 3 ARROW clinical trial were similar, said co-lead investigator María-Victoria Mateos, MD, PhD, Director, Myeloma Unit, University Hospital Salamanca-IBSAL, Spain, at the 2018 European Hematology Association Congress. Read More ›

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow that often leads to bone destruction and bone marrow failure. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 30,280 new cases of multiple myeloma will be diagnosed in 2017, and 12,590 deaths will be attributed to the disease. In the past 20 years, mortality rates associated with multiple myeloma have declined. Novel therapies, as well as improvements in autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) procedures and supportive care, have contributed to extended survival for patients with this malignancy. Read More ›

An interrupted time-series analysis by David Merola, PharmD candidate, Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, and colleagues, showed a significant increase in missed workdays per month after the initial diagnosis of multiple myeloma among patients who received oral or injectable cancer therapy.

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