Multiple Myeloma

The past week in oncology-related news includes shortages of crucial pediatric cancer drug, results of a study of racial disparities in multiple myeloma, and new drug on the horizon for HER2 metastatic breast cancer. Read More ›

On September 26, 2019, the FDA approved daratumumab (Darzalex; Janssen) in combination with bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who are eligible for autologous stem-cell transplant (ASCT). The FDA granted this application priority review. 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 ›

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 ›

Historically, therapies for patients with MM included high-dose dexamethasone, alkylating agents, and autologous stem cell transplantation. In the late 1990s, a new era in myeloma treatment began with the introduction of the immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) thalidomide, followed by subsequent development of the proteasome inhibitors bortezomib and carfilzomib, and the next-generation IMiDs lenalidomide and pomalidomide. Read More ›