“Always trust your gut. Don’t leave your treatment in the hands of someone that you don’t trust or that does not seem like a team player. Yes, they are all smart—even brilliant—but read, read, read, and question them at every corner and challenge the standard of care. Exercise, healthy eating, learning the ropes of insurance, mediation/prayer...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) development in patients with lymphoma and myeloma after an autologous stem cell transplant (autoSCT). This study concluded that this risk is quite high after autoSCT in these patients. Some background AML and MDS are known long-term...
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Prior to the 20th century, most people lived about 47 years in the developed world because of infectious diseases. In 1940, the first use of penicillin to treat infectious diseases occurred and penicillin became available in 1945 to the general public. Science and research conducted throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, created more antibiotics so that life...
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When I think of vaccines, I think of the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccines which help our bodies establish immunity against diseases that used to kill. Now, there are vaccines being created for cancer. The rise of cancer vaccines According to Dr. Nora Disis, an oncologist and researcher in cancer vaccines at the University of...
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In a nutshell This paper studied the effect of recommending bortezomib as the first drug to use for multiple myeloma in patients with poor kidney function. This study concluded that after bortezomib became the recommended drug, there was an increase in the number of patients who did not require dialysis. Some background Up to 50% of patients with...
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In a nutshell This study examined the use of the antibiotics doxycycline and ciprofloxacin to prevent infections in multiple myeloma. The study concluded that adding doxycycline to ciprofloxacin reduced the number of bacterial infections. Some background Stem cell transplantation and chemotherapy are commonly used to treat multiple myeloma. These...
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In a nutshell This paper examined the role of surgery in multiple myeloma that had affected the spine. The authors concluded that spine surgery benefited certain patients. Some background Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells (type of white blood cell). These plasma cells can grow in the bone, and commonly involves the spine. This increases...
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In a nutshell This study examined the risk factors for blood stream infection in patients with multiple myeloma. The study determined that patients with later stage disease are at highest risk of developing an infection. Some background Patients with multiple myeloma have an increased risk of infection. Infections are the leading cause of early deaths...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) safety of carfilzomib (Kyprolis) in patients with relapsed or refractory (does not respond to treatment) multiple myeloma. This study concluded that the benefits of carfilzomib outweighed its risks. Some background Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer of the bone...
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In a nutshell This study examined the role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma. The study determined that allogeneic stem cell transplant is feasible for patients who have previously received other treatment. Some background Survival of patients with multiple myeloma has improved with the development of new...
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In a nutshell This study examined the use of PET-CT imaging to monitor response to treatment for multiple myeloma. The study concluded that treatment to suppress focal lesions seen on PET-CT is an important goal for newly diagnosed patients. Some background One way to improve outcomes in multiple myeloma is to customize treatment based on the...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the effects of adding ixazomib (Ninlaro) to lenalidomide (Revlimid) and dexamethasone (Dexasone) for patients with unresponsive multiple myeloma. The main finding was that patients receiving ixazomib plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone survived longer without worsening of cancer (progression-free...
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