The International Myeloma Foundation Says New Studies Show Longer Survival for Myeloma Patients and Improved Response to Treatments
Data Presented at the ASCO Cancer Conference
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. & CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF)--supporting research
and providing education, advocacy and support for myeloma patients,
families, researchers and physicians--today said encouraging new
findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology
(ASCO) meeting in Chicago, showing significant improvements in
treating myeloma. Several presentations show the drug regimens
referred to as the "novel therapies" extend survival and improve the
response to treatments at levels not previously seen.
"Taken together, the findings presented at this major cancer
conference are dramatic and show that we are very close to making
myeloma a chronic and manageable disease," said Susie Novis, president
and co-founder of the IMF. "Myeloma is a small disease with a big
impact on the way we treat cancer."
Specifically, findings include:
-- 93% survival at 2 years in newly diagnosed patients on
REVLIMID(R) plus low-dose dexamethasone, regardless of age or
eligibility for stem cell transplant(1). This extends findings
first reported a year ago, and demonstrates a continuing
response to treatment.
-- High complete remission (CR) rates in multiple VELCADE
regimens including VELCADE(R) with dexamethasone (VD). This
includes 19% CR in patients on VD as initial therapy, 35% CR
with VD after stem cell transplant and 141 VD patients not
requiring a second transplant(2).
-- In addition, studies presented at ASCO show improvements are
made possible by using VELCADE and REVLIMID in sequence(3) and
even by using them together(4).
Brian G.M. Durie, M.D. co-founder and chairman of the IMF noted,
"With the novel therapies we're seeing a quantum leap in two-year
survival from 50% to now 93%, which is just 3% short of what a healthy
person of a comparable age could expect. The ongoing survival benefit
in the trial of REVLIMID with low dose dexamethasone, presented today,
is particularly impressive."
Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is a cancer of cells in the
bone marrow that affects production of blood cells. Myeloma affects an
estimated 750,000 people worldwide, and in industrialized countries it
is being diagnosed in growing numbers and in increasingly younger
people.
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL MYELOMA FOUNDATION
The International Myeloma Foundation is the oldest and largest
myeloma organization, reaching more than 165,000 members in 113
countries worldwide. A 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to
improving the quality of life of myeloma patients and their families,
the IMF focuses in four key areas: research, education, support and
advocacy. To date, the IMF has conducted more than 120 educational
seminars worldwide, maintains a world-renowned hotline, and operates
Bank on a Cure(R), a unique gene bank to advance myeloma research. The
IMF was rated as the number one resource for patients in an
independent survey by the Target Research Group. The IMF can be
reached at (800) 452-CURE, or out of the United States at (818)
487-7455. More information is available at www.myeloma.org.
1. Abstract # 8504 - Rajkumar
2. Abstract # 8505 - Harousseau
3. Abstract # 8518 - Palumbo
4. Abstract # 8520 - Richardson
The International Myeloma Foundation
Stephen Gendel
or
Jennifer Anderson, 212-918-4650
Copyright Business Wire 2008
