Patients With Periodontitis May Be At Increased Risk For Developing Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw – Results from a small Australian trial suggest that multiple myeloma patients who receive bisphosphonates and experience periodontitis (inflammation or bleeding in their gums) may be at an increased risk for developing osteonecrosis of the jaw. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a condition that is associated with a loss of blood supply to the jaw, causing the jawbone tissue to die. It can occur in multiple myeloma patients during treatment with bisphosphonates, such as Aredia (pamidronate) and Zometa (zoledronic acid). Specifically, the researchers found that patients with at least one spot in their gums with periodontitis with a depth greater than 4 mm were at a particularly high risk of developing jawbone disease. For more information, please refer to the study in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (abstract).
Blood Test May Predict Velcade-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy – Findings from a prospective Japanese trial involving more than 60 patients indicate that a blood test may be able to predict whether a multiple myeloma patient will develop peripheral neuropathy (pain, tingling, and loss of sensation in the extremities) when treated with Velcade (bortezomib). The Japanese researchers took samples of each trial participant’s blood before the patients started treatment with Velcade. The cells in the blood samples were then stimulated to see how much they started to produce certain immune system proteins. The investigators found that, when stimulated, the blood from patients who did not develop peripheral neuropathy during Velcade treatment was significantly more likely to start producing the protein interleukin 2 (IL-2) than the blood from patients who developed peripheral neuropathy. IL-2 stimulates the production of certain types of white blood cells, known as lymphocytes, which defend the body against infections and other threats. Based on their results, the researchers recommend that the blood test they used be validated in additional studies with larger numbers of patients. For more information, please refer to the article in the Blood Cancer Journal (full text, open access).
Phase 2 Trial To Study LCL161 In Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients – The Mayo Clinic will soon be opening for enrollment a Phase 2 trial of the investigational compound LCL161, alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients. LCL161, which is being developed by the pharmaceutical company Novartis, works by binding to, and thereby neutralizing, inhibitor apoptosis proteins (IAPs), which shield cancer cells from cell death. The compound is also being investigated as a treatment for a number of different solid-tumor cancers. For more information on the trial, please see the clinical trial description.
