Pat’s Cracked Cup: Chosen By Multiple Myeloma
We do not choose chronic illness – it chooses us. Being tapped on the shoulder by multiple myeloma is an invitation into a deeper experience of life, whether we like it or not. Expressive writing is a...
View ArticleAddition Of Velcade Improves Thalidomide-Dexamethasone Consolidation Therapy...
The results of an Italian Phase 3 study show that consolidation therapy with a combination of Velcade, thalidomide, and dexamethasone is more effective in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients than...
View ArticleCelgene Submits Pomalidomide For FDA Approval
Celgene Corporation announced this morning that it has completed submission of its application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the approval of pomalidomide as a treatment for...
View ArticleFDA Sets Date For Carfilzomib Advisory Board Meeting
Onyx Pharmaceuticals announced this morning that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has set a date for an advisory committee meeting to review the company’s application for approval of carfilzomib....
View ArticleManhattan Tales: An Unexpected And Welcome Delay
When my stem cells were harvested and put in the deep freeze in June 2010, my hematologist said the timing for the transplant was not yet critical. As long as my blood counts remained reasonably...
View Article‘Kyprolis’ Is Proposed Brand Name For Carfilzomib
Onyx Pharmaceuticals has proposed ‘Kyprolis’ as the trademarked brand name for carfilzomib. The name was announced this morning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA confirmed in the...
View ArticleGain In Chromosome 1 Negatively Affects Prognosis Only In Certain Newly...
Results from a Polish study suggest that a gain in chromosome 1, called 1q21 gain, must be accompanied by other chromosomal abnormalities to negatively affect prognosis in newly diagnosed multiple...
View ArticleSean’s Burgundy Thread: Are You Listening?
File this one away in the ‘I Don’t Think They Love Me Anymore’ drawer. Here’s how a recent phone call went: “Thank you, Mr. Murray. I will be sure to mark this request urgent. Is there anything else...
View ArticleBeacon NewsFlashes – May 2, 2012
Development Of Dinaciclib For Multiple Myeloma To Continue – An ongoing Phase 2 trial of dinaciclib (SCH-727965) as a single-agent therapy for multiple myeloma has completed enrollment. Dr. Shaji...
View ArticlePat’s Place: Have You Thanked Your Oncology Nurses Lately?
When we were kids, I bet almost no one ever said, “I want to be an oncology nurse when I grow up!” All nurses are important. But oncology nurses are special. To spend four or five days a week doing...
View ArticleSolitary Bone Plasmacytoma – What Every Patient Should Know
Solitary bone plasmacytoma is a plasma cell disorder characterized by the formation of a single tumor in the bone. The tumor, also called a plasmacytoma, occurs when abnormal plasma cells originating...
View ArticleDevelopment Of Perifosine For Multiple Myeloma To Continue
Aeterna Zentaris announced this morning that the company will be continuing development of perifosine as a potential treatment for multiple myeloma. Speculation arose last month that an ongoing Phase 3...
View ArticleFDA Issues Extensive Update About Revlimid And Second Cancers
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier today issued an extensive update regarding the risk of developing a second cancer while being treated with Revlimid. The update comes on the heels of a...
View ArticleBig Sis In Burgundy: Lordy, Lordy, Deana’s 40!
Deana celebrated the big 4-oh on May 5 in a manner favored by our family – on a cruise ship. I celebrated by spending the day with Darrie, in what is becoming a tradition for us three sisters –...
View ArticleNew Study Highlights Role Of Blood Clots In Multiple Myeloma Survival
The results of a recent Swedish study indicate that the development of blood clots in the veins or arteries of multiple myeloma patients negatively affects survival outcomes. The study investigators...
View ArticleNorthern Lights: Autumn Leaves And The Effects Of Initial Chemotherapy
Could I handle dex? Would I ever be standing tall again without pain? Could such a new drug as Velcade restore my bone marrow to health? How about the side effects? These were the unanswered...
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Revlimid Maintenance Therapy: Three Major Studies Clarify The Benefits And Risks
The results of the three major clinical trials investigating Revlimid maintenance therapy were published yesterday in three separate articles in the New England Journal of Medicine. The articles were...
View ArticleBeacon NewsFlashes – May 14, 2012
Study Reveals Genetic Differences Between MGUS And Multiple Myeloma – In a recent study, Spanish researchers identified chromosomal abnormalities that were more frequent in patients with active mutiple...
View ArticleMe vs. MM: Agent D
It seems that one of the most common (and reviled) topics in the Beacon’s columns and forums is dexamethasone and its side effects. For most of the 15 cycles I’ve been receiving treatment, I haven’t...
View ArticleMyeloma Research To Be Presented At The American Society of Clinical...
The 48th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) will take place Friday, June 1, through Tuesday, June 5, in Chicago. More than 25,000 clinical specialists from all over the...
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