Results from the national Myeloma XI trial have shown a higher incidence of second primary malignancies (SPM) in patients receiving Revlimid (lenalidomide) maintenance treatment compared to those who did not, in line with other previous reported trials. Published in the Blood Cancer Journal analysis of the data showed that, although the overall incidence of SPM was…
Celgene, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) have announced that they have partnered to create the Myeloma Genome Project to compile high quality genetic and clinical data to improve diagnosis, prognosis and treatment for myeloma patients. The aim is to develop a strategy for classifying myeloma into subgroups…
A study, funded by Myeloma UK, has discovered a mechanism that may explain how a genetic variant increases the risk of developing myeloma. Published in the latest issue of Nature Communications, researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research, London investigated the functional effects of the most highly associated variant they had identified from a previously conducted…
The Myeloma UK Clinical Trial Network (CTN) has achieved another significant milestone with data from the MUK six trial published in the latest issue of Lancet Haematology. MUK six, a Phase I/II multicentre open label trial aimed to determine the safety and both the optimum and maximum dose of panobinostat when used in combination with once-weekly Velcade,…
A Myeloma UK funded study, published recently in the European Journal of Haematology, has found that a large number of symptoms occur frequently in myeloma patients, highlighting the importance of routine assessments throughout the disease trajectory in order to achieve optimal quality of life for patients. Led by Christina Ramsenthaler and Prof Irene Higginson, Department of…
A revised Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) together with wider changes in the way the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) assesses cancer drugs has recently been launched. Developed through a partnership between National Health Service (NHS) England and NICE, the new CDF allows drugs which meet set criteria under a managed access agreement…
The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) has recently published further consensus criteria for defining disease response in myeloma. Since the original response criteria were set in 2006, newer, more sensitive methods can now quantify myeloma cells as low as 1 in a million. Published in the Lancet Oncology, the updated criteria identify responses beyond complete response…
A study published recently in Nature Communications has identified eight new genetic risk loci for myeloma, providing further insights into the genetic and biological basis of its predisposition. The research, performed at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and part funded by Myeloma UK involved a meta-analysis of pooled data from several independent genome-wide association…
The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has set out new guidance for the diagnosis, treatment and care of myeloma patients with the aim of providing consistently excellent patient-focused care within NHS England. The new guidance has been created to cover aspects of management where in the past there was uncertainty or variation…
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued draft guidelines for consultation to improve the care of adults during the last few days of life. The guidelines are meant to replace the Liverpool Care Pathway which were phased out in 2014. Key recommendations highlight the importance of communication and shared decision-making involving…