AllDocs -> cancers

WINTER 2005 LONG-TERM SURVIVOR ENJOYS NEW ROLE AS VOLUNTEER Ken Stoll has never attended a single medical-school class or received any formal training in treating any form of illness. And yet, he’s got the kind of experience that goes a long way toward helping multiple myeloma patients deal with the unique challenges associated with the disease. Stoll, 61, has more than just his warm, friendly smile and engaging manner to offer the patients who come to the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy (MIRT) for treatment. The North Little Rock, Ark., resident knows a lot about what patients are going through, having been diagnosed himself with myeloma almost 14 years ago. More or less retired after 30 years with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Stoll volunteers at the institute one day a week, serving up coffee and answers to questions ...

SPRING 2005 GENETIC RESEARCH COULD LEAD TO NEW THERAPIES The Donna D. and Donald M. Lambert Laboratory of Myeloma Genetics in the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences continues to move forward with the most advanced research that is expected to revolutionize the treatment of myeloma . By harnessing the power of genomics – the study of how human genes interact to regulate cell growth, survival and function – Lambert Lab Director John Shaughnessy, Ph.D., and his colleagues are developing the foundation for promising curative therapies. The researchers are employing microarray technology to decode the genetic profile of each type of multiple myeloma cell by determining which of the estimated 25,000 human genes in each cell are “turned on” or “turned off.” This information ...

SUMMER 2004 BARLOGIE RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM IMF Dr. Bart Barlogie’s habit of putting his patients’ needs before his own has earned him boundless respect and appreciation. It also earned him the Robert A. Kyle Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the International Myeloma Foundation to Barlogie May 8 at a special event held at The Peabody in Little Rock. The director of the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy at UAMS’ Arkansas Cancer Research Center, Barlogie was recog- nized by colleagues and officials for devoting almost 30 years to finding a cure for multiple myeloma . Among the evening’s highlights was an announcement by Chancellor I. Dodd Wilson that UAMS planned to raise funds to endow a chair in myeloma research in honor of Barlogie and his efforts toward curing the rare form of cancer. Dr. Ernest Ferris, chairman ...

FALL 2004 MYELOMA INSTITUTE RECEIVES $18 MILLION NCI GRANT The Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy received a National Cancer Institute grant worth nearly $18 million in August, the largest research award ever given to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The $17,954,098 grant will fund an ongoing comprehensive research program, entitled “Growth Control of Multiple Myeloma ,” and will be distributed over a five-year period, concluding in June 2009. The grant is the third consecutive five-year P01 awarded to the Myeloma Institute. “This grant is a testament to the work of Dr. Barlogie and his group in the myeloma program,” said James Y. Suen, M.D., director of the Arkansas Cancer Research Center at UAMS. “All of us at the ACRC salute him for his fierce and relentless pursuit of a cure for multiple myeloma ...

MYELOMA AND PARAPROTEINAEMIA MEDICAL APPENDIX (including multiple myeloma , Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia, heavy-chain disease, solitary plasmacytoma of bone, extramedullary plasmacytoma, plasma cell leukaemia, osteosclerotic myeloma (POEMS syndrome), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and primary systemic amyloidosis) DEFINITION 1. These are conditions characterised by the abnormal production, in quality or quantity, of immunoglobulin. (i) (ii) (iii) 2. Paraproteinaemia is a term used to describe the presence in the blood of a single immunoglobulin which is derived from the monoclonal proliferation of a single clone of immunoglobulin secreting plasma cells. Paraprotein is detectable on protein electrophoresis. In some cases the cell proliferation is clinically benign. Patients are asymptomatic and there is no evidence of impairment of antibody response ...

Center for Environmental Health Studies (617) 482-9485 44 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210 http://www.jsi.com Multiple Myeloma (MM) and Exposure to Ionizing Radiation 1 Multiple Myeloma (MM) and Exposure to Ionizing Radiation Summary : Studies conducted at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and other nuclear facilities, as well as those exposed to radiation from the atomic bomb suggest an increased likelihood of developing multiple myeloma for those who have been exposed to ionizing radiation. These findings are consistent with the determination of the National Research Council’s BEIR V committee that multiple myeloma has been associated with exposure to ionizing radiation. Multiple myeloma is a “specified” cancer under the EEOICPA. Historically, multiple myeloma incidence and mortality in Los Alamos County fall in the middle of New Mexico counties while ...

San Diego Community Rallies around Local Hero Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma “Donate for Drew Day” to raise funds for the International Myeloma Foundation, encourage bone marrow testing FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 2005 ENCINITAS, CA – Organizations from across San Diego County will come together for “Donate for Drew Day,” an event to raise funds for the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) and encourage people to become part of a national bone marrow registry in honor of Drew Spaeth, an Encinitas resident recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma . The event will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2005, from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. at the North Coast Presbyterian Church in Encinitas, CA. “Our goal is to raise awareness of multiple myeloma and generate funds for the IMF to support education and research into this disease,” said Spaeth. “We also want to motivate people to ...

Where to Start Sources of Information on Multiple Myeloma Suggestions for resources when you begin to look for information about multiple myeloma . Prepared by the Ninon Bourque Patient Resource Library The Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Centre 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6 613-737-7700 ext 70107 These resources are provided for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for medical care. Inclusion of a resource does not imply endorsement by The Ottawa Hospital. If you have any questions about your healthcare, please consult your healthcare provider. If you would like to have more information about this topic, please contact the Ninon Bourque Patient Resource Library at 613-737-7700 ext. 70107 or consumerhealth@ottawahospital.on.ca . Brochure http://www.cancer.ca Multiple myeloma : what you need to know. 8-page brochure, produced ...

What Is Multiple Myeloma ? Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that starts in the plasma cells, which are white blood cells that produce antibodies to help fight infections. Plasma cells are generally located in the bone marrow. When the plasma cells grow uncontrollably, a tumor forms in the bone marrow. With multiple myeloma , multiple tumors occur in the bone marrow of several bones. What Are the Risk Factors for Multiple Myeloma ? Unfortunately, there are very few known risk factors for this cancer. The following are risk factors that are known: 6 Age is the most significant factor: only one percent of cases are diagnosed in persons under the age of 40. 6 Radiation exposure, family history, and workplace exposure only account for a small number of cases. ...

Pharmacor MULTIPLE MYELOMA Page 2 Multiple Myeloma Pharmacor 2 YOU NEED TO KNOW: How will the approval of bortezomib as a second-line therapy affect its sales and the sales of other agents? Thalidomide-derived immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) will take signifi- cant market share from thalidomide—what other drug classes stand to lose? Will stem- cell transplantation become more or less important in the next five years? INTRODUCTION: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematologic cancer associated with extremely high morbidity and mortality; curative therapy is the greatest unmet need. Our research reveals that advances in the understanding of MM. KEY FINDINGS: • In 2004, incident cases of MM totaled more than 30,000; the incident population will grow modestly during our forecast period due to the aging of the population ...

Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC) Launched he Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) announces the launch of the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC), the first research model of its kind that brings together leading academic institutions to speed the develop- ment of new myeloma therapies. The MMRC was developed in partnership with the myeloma research community and founded by MMRF President Kathy Giusti as an extension of the MMRF's mission. The MMRC and the MMRF will work hand in hand to pursue an ultimate goal -- a cure for myeloma . Volume VI Issue III SUMMER 2005 Accelerating the Search for a Cure INSIDE THIS ISSUE M U L T I P L E MY E L O M A RESEARCH FOUNDATION MYELOMA FOCUS Newsletter of the ...

1 • VELCADE is indicated for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who have received at least one prior therapy • VELCADE is the first treatment in more than a decade to be approved by the FDA for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) – a cancer of the blood. • VELCADE is the first of a new class of medicines called proteasome inhibitors. • VELCADE is the market leader with over 12,000 MM patients successfully treated since the initial approval in May 2003. • By inhibiting a single molecular target, the proteasome, VELCADE affects multiple signaling pathways critical for cell survival. The effect of VELCADE likely involves several distinct mechanisms, including inhibition of cell growth and survival pathways, induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death), and inhibition of expression of genes that control cellular adhesion, migration and angiogenesis. • In the ...

A fact sheet from the Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry Multiple myeloma in the Greater Bay Area 1988-2002 Spring 2005 Multiple myeloma is a rare cancer that occurs when plasma cells stored in the bone marrow grow uncontrollably. Each year, there are roughly 300 cases newly diagnosed and 200 deaths due to multiple myeloma in the Greater Bay Area. The five-year relative survival for mul- tiple myeloma is approximately 30%. Figure 1. Age-adjusted incidence rates formultiple myeloma by sex and yearof diag- nosis, GreaterBay Area, 1988-2002 Figure 2. Age-adjusted incidence rates for multiple myeloma by sex and race/ethnicity, Greater Bay Area, 1988-2002 0 2 4 6 8 10 1988-1990 1991-1993 1994-1996 1997-1999 2000-2002 Year of diagnosis R a t e pe r 100,000 ...

MULTIPLE MYELOMA UPDATE FROM THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY (ASCO) 41 ST ANNUAL MEETING UPDATE FROM THE AMERICAN SOICETY OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY (ASCO) 41 ST ANNUAL MEETING: POSTER SESSIONS Sundar Jagannath, MD St. Vincent’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY STEVEN SALETAN, MD: And Dr. Jagannath, several additional subanalyses of the APEX trial were performed. The safety and efficacy for bortezomib in the high-risk and elderly patients with relapsed myeloma was looked at. Can you tell us what these subanalyses showed? SUNDAR JAGANNATH, MD: We know that APEX is the largest randomized phase 3 clinical trial comparing the novel agent, bortezomib, against the dexamethasone and it was conducted both in North America as well as in Europe. We all are very aware of the positive results in the overall population. ...

Page 2 The booklets in this series are intended to provide general information about the diseases they describe. In many cases the treatment of individual patients will differ from that described in the booklets. At all times patients should rely on the advice of their specialist who is the only person with full information about their diagnosis and medical history. © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without permission in writing from Leukaemia Research. Leukaemia Research 43 Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JJ 020 7405 0101 www.lrf.org.uk email: info@lrf.org.uk Registered charity 216032 For further advice contact the clinical information team on 020 7269 9060. Series compiled by Ken Campbell, revised 2005. A list of advisors can be found at www.lrf.org.uk/advisors The design of this ...

Thalidomide and Its Derivatives: New Promise for Multiple Myeloma Donna Weber, MD Background: The combination of melphalan and prednisone has been accepted as standard treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) because most studies demonstrate only minimal survival benefit of combination chemotherapy regimens when compared with melphalan and prednisone. Despite modest gains with more intensive myeloablative regimens for certain subgroups, myeloma remains incurable. In 1999, investigators at the University of Arkansas reported the promising results of a phase II study of thalidomide in patients with resistant MM. Since then various trials of thalidomide alone, and in combination, have been tested in patients with resistant, and more recently, untreated MM. In addition, preliminary results of phase I studies of the immunomodulatory derivatives (IMiDs) of thalidomide have recently been reported. ...

8 April 2005 RPA data shows Thalidomide provides new hope for patients with Multiple Myeloma An Australian study using Thalidomide is providing new hope for patients with an incurable form of blood cancer – Multiple Myeloma . Research from the Institute of Heamatology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, to be revealed at a major international conference in Sydney at the weekend, shows that in patients suffering from Multiple Myeloma , Thalidomide doubles the number of T cells the body produces. Importantly, those cells are cytotoxic (they kill tumour cells) and are clonal (they specifically target Multiple Myeloma tumour cells.) The research improves international understanding of how a patient’s own immune system can be harnessed in the fight against other forms of cancer. “We have shown that T cells, an important part of our immune system, can be used to fight against the myeloma ...

Australian researchers discover new treatment for Myeloma Scientists at the Institute of Haematology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA) have discovered the mechanism by which Thalidomide activates the body’s natural immune system to fight Multiple Myeloma , a cancer that affects approximately 1000 Australians every year. A cancer of the bone marrow, Multiple Myeloma destroys bones and causes kidney failure. Until recently, therapies for this disease were limited and there had been no progress for over almost three decades. In the last decade there has been dramatic progress in new drugs including Thalidomide, a controversial drug prescribed to pregnant women in the 1950s and 196 0sthat was removed from the marketplace after it was shown to cause birth defects. It was re-introduced after it was discovered it had benefits in treating patients with multiple myeloma . Head ...

Mayo Clin Proc, January 2003, Vol 78 Editorial 15 of undetermined significance (MGUS) and recently pub- lished long-term follow-up of 1384 affected individuals, showing that 1% of persons with MGUS develop MM or a related disorder annually. 3 In the current report, 2 more than one third of the 1027 patients had a recognizable plasma cell proliferative disorder before the diagnosis of MM. Interestingly, survival did not differ in patients with or without preceding MGUS, was prolonged in patients with prior smoldering MM or plasmacytoma, and was shorter in patients with primary amyloidosis. Kyle et al 2 carefully review the presenting features to aid in our recognition and diagnosis of MM. Bone pain and fatigue related to anemia were common, whereas pares- thesias were uncommon; most patients had good perfor- mance status, perhaps ...

Mayo Clin Proc. • July 2004;79(7):875-882 • www.mayo.edu/proceedings 875 THALIDOMIDE FOR RELAPSED MULTIPLE MYELOMA Thalidomide for Patients With Relapsed Multiple Myeloma After High-Dose Chemotherapy and Stem Cell Transplantation: Results of an Open-Label Multicenter Phase 2 Study of Efficacy, Toxicity, and Biological Activity ORIGINAL ARTICLE P AUL R ICHARDSON , MD; R OBERT S CHLOSSMAN , MD; S UNDAR J AGANNATH , MD; M ELISSA A LSINA , MD; R AMAN D ESIKAN , MD; E MILY B LOOD , MS; E DIE W ELLER , P H D; C ONSTANTINE M ITSIADES , MD; T ERU H IDESHIMA , MD; F ...

Multiple Myeloma Today and Tomorrow: Evolving Treatment Strategies Tuesday, April 12, 2005 2:00 PM –3:45 PM Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre Darling Harbour Tumbalong Meeting Room Kenneth C. Anderson, MD Activity Chairman A CME Activity During the 10 th International Myeloma Workshop Jointly sponsored by The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and HealthAnswers Education gratefully acknowledge an educational grant from the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Celgene, and Millennium Pharmaceuticals Corporation in support of this CME activity. For more information and to register for this CME activity, click here . WebAd_002 3/15/05 10:47 AM Page 1

SCIENTIFIC AGENDA AND FACULTY 09:00–09:20 Welcome and Overview of Current and Emerging Therapies Kenneth Anderson, MD – Chairperson Chief, Division of Hematologic Neoplasia Director, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center Kraft Family Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachusetts 09:20–09:35 Use of Glutathione Modulators (Such as Ascorbic Acid) for TRISENOX ® (Arsenic Trioxide) Sensitization in Multiple Myeloma : Preclinical and Clinical Studies Kelvin Lee, MD Associate Professor University of Miami Miami, Florida 09:35–10:15 Single and Combination Therapy Using TRISENOX ® in Patients with Relapsed/ Refractory Multiple Myeloma Mohamad Hussein, MD Director, Myeloma Research Program Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland, Ohio James Berenson, MD ...

24 Hematology Oncology News & Issues • June 2003 www.hemoncnews.com A D V O C A C Y H O N I : You and your twin sister, Karen Andrews, founded the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) in 1998 af- ter you were diagnosed with multiple myeloma . Besides the obvious reason, what inspired you to do this? G i u s t i : When I was diagnosed in 1996, I was surprised by how dismal the [survival] statistics were. There was no cure, [it was] 100% fatal, and [led to] an average life span of about three years. But what was probably the most devastating to me, work- ing in the [pharmaceutical] industry like I did, was when I looked at all the resources I knew to see what new drug compounds were being developed. In the field of multiple myeloma , there were absolutely none. There was not one compound to be found in early development—Phase 1 or Phase 2—anywhere in multiple myeloma . I honestly ...

w w w. m u l t i p l e m y e l o m a . o rg Multiple Myeloma : Stem Cell Transplantation MMRF Accelerating the Search for a Cure M M R F Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation 51 Locust Avenue, Suite 201 New Canaan, CT 06840 Phone: 1-203-972-1250 Fax: 1-203-972-1259 Web: www. m u l t i p l e m y e l o m a . o rg E-mail: info@themmrf.org e-mail: info@themmrf.org MMR-A1-002 SC Broch Rv14 7/7/04 4:04 PM Page 2 Page 2 The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is an international nonprofit foundation driven by a single purpose: to accelerate the search for a cure for multiple myeloma . The MMRF focuses on 5 goals: Raising awareness of multiple myeloma Funding the most promising myeloma re ...

he Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is proud to present this special edition newsletter. Events cov- ered in this newsletter include the 43 rd Annual Meeting of American Society of Hematology (ASH) and an educational symposium, Advances in Multiple Myeloma : Pathogenesis to Treatment, sponsored by the Strategic Institute for Continuing Health Care Education and supported by the MMRF. ASH and the symposium were held December 7-11 in Orlando, Florida. This issue presents the following information: b New insights into myeloma staging and profiling b The latest information on current therapies b An update on novel therapies being evaluated in Phase I-III clinical trials, including the promising preliminary results of clinical trials of the proteasome inhibitor PS-341 and the immunomodulatory drug Revimid™ b Emerging ...

he Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is pleased to present this special edition newsletter reporting from the 44 th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). Encouraging results of several key clinical trials, as well as cutting-edge research findings from around the world were presented in Philadelphia, PA at the meeting held December 6-10. THE TOP NEWS FROM THE MEETING INCLUDED : Final results of the Phase II SUMMIT trial of Velcade™ (bortezomib, formerly PS-341, Millennium) in 202 patients with advanced relapsed and refractory myeloma , which indicated an overall response rate of 35% and demonstrable clinical benefits. Altogether, 59% of patients expe- rienced a response or achieved stable disease with the proteasome inhibitor, which was generally well tolerated (page 2). Preliminary results of the Phase II trial ...

he seventh annual MMRF Friends for Life Fall Gala was held on Saturday, October 25th at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, CT. The event was an enormous success raising over $1 million for the fourth consecutive year. Sharon Osbourne, a cancer survivor and talk-show host, was honored at the event with the MMRF Spirit of Hope Award. She and her husband, Ozzy Osbourne, were joined by the Gala Corporate Chairman, Dave Burwick, Chief Marketing Officer at Pepsi-Cola North America, and Deborah Norville, Emmy-winning host of Inside Edition and the event‘s Master of Ceremonies. Over 750 people attended the black tie event, which has raised over $6 million for myeloma research since 1997, our first event. Dave Burwick, who along with his Pepsi executive leadership team, helped secure nearly $500,000 in support for the event, talked about the —magic“ that has been woven by MMRF co-founders, Kathy ...

he Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) was chosen by Neiman Marcus to premiere Escada's Fall Collection, on Monday, May 3, 1999. The MMRF was selected from among hundreds of worthy organi- zations across the country to participate in the first showing of the new line. Join us for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and an evening of incredible New York runway fashion. Only two hundred guests will be able to share in this evening of glamour and excitement, so order your tickets now! General admission is $75 and, preferred seats, $125 per person. Contact Carol Wolf at (914) 251-0716 for ticket information and volunteer opportunities. All ticket proceeds will fund multiple myeloma research. dvances in technology have increased the potential for development of an effective vaccine against ...

he MMRF and the McCarty Cancer Foundation are funding research into the chromosomal abnormalities associated with multiple myeloma (MM) and its early stages including the premalignant monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). Understanding when in the disease process these chromosomal abnormalities occur could provide reasons for disease progression and the possible cause of MM. Volume I Issue III Summer 1999 Accelerating the Search for a Cure Welcome Letter P AGE 2 Coming Up Page 2 Looking Ahead Page 3 Medical Corner Pages 4, 5 Industry Partners Page 6 Need To Know Page 7 Escada and Neiman Marcus Page 8 I NSIDE T HIS ...