FDA Reverses ODAC Vote and Approves Panobinostat for Relapsed Myeloma - Read Dr. Durie's blog
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday approved panobinostat for the treatment of myeloma. Marketed by Novartis under the name Farydak, panobinostat is an HDAC inhibitor intended for patients who have received at least two prior therapies. The safety and efficacy of panobinostat, which is used in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone, was demonstrated in 193 clinical trial participants. "The approval is obviously good news for the myeloma community," IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie reports in his blog. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 27, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Amgen Announces the European Medicines Agency Acceptance of Kyprolis® (carfilzomib) Marketing Authorization Application for the Treatement of Relapsed Multiple Myeloma
Amgen and its subsidiary Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has accepted the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) of Kyprolis® (carfilzomib) for Injection for the treatment of patients with relapsed multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. The MAA has been granted accelerated
assessment by the EMA. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 26, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
New IMWG Assessment System for Elderly Myeloma Patients
The IMF's research arm, the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), published an important new study on the assessment of elderly myeloma patients in the journal Blood. In the paper, the IMWG introduces a scoring system developed to classify the frailty of elderly patients. The international study, which analyzed data from more than 850 newly diagnosed patients, found that the IMWG frailty score predicted mortality and the risk of toxicity in elderly myeloma patients. The frailty score could be a helpful tool in better assessing patients and providing them with more suitable therapies (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 23, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
FDA Approves Farydak (Panobinostat) For The Treatment Of Multiple Myeloma
In November 2014, the FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee advised the agency that, based on the data reviewed, the drug's benefits did not outweigh its risks for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. After the meeting, the company submitted additional information supporting Farydak's use for a different indication: patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior standard therapies, including bortezomib and an immunomodulatory agent. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 23, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
EC approves Revlimid for Treatment of Previously Untreated Myeloma Patients Not Eligible for Transplant
REVLIMID® (Lenalidomide) Approved by the European Commission for the Treatment of Adult Patients with Previously Untreated Multiple Myeloma who are Not Eligible for Transplant (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 20, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Revlimid receives frontline approval in the US
There was important news for myeloma patients this week as the US Food and Drug Administration approved Revlimid in combination with dexamethasone for newly diagnosed myeloma patients. Revlimid has already been in frontline use off-label in the US, but as IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie writes, the new approval raises “many issues which will limit ideal global access and use.” CLICK HERE to read Dr. Durie's blog. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 19, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Share Your Story for Myeloma Awareness Month
With less than a month until March begins, the IMF is getting the ball rolling on Myeloma Awareness Month (#MAM). Sharing your story with even one person can help spread awareness, but with the internet at your fingertips, your story has the potential to inspire and educate thousands. Stories from patients and caregivers can inspire others to get their symptoms checked or go for a screening they'd been putting off. These stories also provide hope and support to people who may be going through difficult times. CLICK HERE to share your story, a lesson, or a piece of advice. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 18, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Updated Glossary of Myeloma Terms & Definitions
Have you ever felt like you were hearing a foreign language during a visit to the doctor? Myeloma brings many new concepts and medical terms to understand, including your body's anatomy and systems, types of treatment, clinical trial terminology, and more. It can feel overwhelming at times, but the IMF is here to serve as your personal translator with handy resources, such as a newly updated glossary of myeloma terms and definitions. CLICK HERE to read and bookmark the new glossary. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 17, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Updated Glossary of Myeloma Terms & Definitions
Have you ever felt like you were hearing a foreign language during a visit to the doctor? Myeloma brings many new concepts and medical terms to understand, including your body's anatomy and systems, types of treatment, clinical trial terminology, and more. It can feel overwhelming at times, but the IMF is here to serve as your personal translator with handy resources, such as a newly updated glossary of myeloma terms and definitions. CLICK HERE to read and bookmark the new glossary. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 17, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Measles and Myeloma: Should You Be Concerned?
With a recent measles outbreak in the US placing attention on the disease and the measles vaccine, IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie weighs in on the measles and myeloma. For myeloma patients, the chance of contracting the measles is low because most adults were inoculated when they were children and are therefore immune. In fact, many myeloma patients were ineligible for Dr. Stephen Russell's Mayo Clinic measles virotherapy clinical trial because they were immune to the disease. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 13, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Updated IMF Publication: "Understanding Bisphosphonate Therapy"
If you are a myeloma patient with bone disease (osteoporosis, lytic lesions, or even hypercalcemia), you will want to read our latest updated publication, "Understanding Bisphosphonate Therapy"
This booklet is devoted to therapy that is given to patients with myeloma bone involvement. Approximately 80% of myeloma patients develop bone disease. Bisphosphonates help to prevent skeletal complications of myeloma. Treatment with bisphosphonates reduces bone damage and, when the myeloma is well controlled, allows bone healing to occur. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 12, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Should Gadolinium be Used as Part of MRI Testing?
The IMF is continuing the weekly web series #AskDrDurie with IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie answering patient-submitted questions in new original videos for IMF-TV. Whether you'd like to know more about the status of various clinical trials or IMF projects, or have questions about new drug regimens or side effects, you can ask Dr. Durie directly. Submit your questions to AskDrDurie@myeloma.org or via social media using the hashtag #AskDrDurie. And be sure to check out the right-hand column of each week's Minute for the latest episode. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 10, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Crowdfunding Myeloma Clinical Trials: What Could Go Wrong?
There has been a lot of discussion lately about crowdfunded campaigns for cancer research and other aid. Crowdfunding is the act of raising money from a large number of individuals on the internet for a specific project or venture, and IMF Chairman Dr. Brian Durie weighs in on what those types of campaigns mean for the cancer community in a new blog post. CLICK HERE to read Dr. Durie's blog. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 6, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Updated IMF Publication: "Understanding Dexamethasone and Other Steroids"
This booklet is devoted to an important component of almost all myeloma therapies. The steroid dexamethasone is a synthetic adrenocortical steroid, also known as glucocorticosteroid or corticosteroid. Dexamethasone is one of the most frequently used medications in the treatment of myeloma. It is also known by the brand names Decadron®, Dexasone®, Diodex®, Hexadrol®, and Maxidex®. (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 5, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
Updated IMF Publication: "Understanding MGUS and Smoldering Myeloma"
This new IMF booklet contains information about monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM).Neither is an active disease state, but both are precursor states to active myeloma. It is therefore important to understand if, when, and how active myeloma might evolve and what monitoring and/or interventions are appropriate. CLICK HERE to download and read “Understanding MGUS and Smoldering Myeloma.” (Source: International Myeloma Foundation)
Source: International Myeloma Foundation - February 2, 2015 Category: Hematology Source Type: news
