Medication
Drugs Approved for Multiple Myeloma and Other Plasma Cell Neoplasms. Abecma (Idecabtagene Vicleucel) Alkeran for Injection (Melphalan Hydrochloride) Alkeran Tablets (Melphalan) Aredia (Pamidronate Disodium) Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf. BiCNU (Carmustine) Blenrep (Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf) Bortezomib.
Procedures
Drug Therapy for Multiple Myeloma Chemotherapy Corticosteroids (steroids) Immunomodulating agents Proteasome inhibitors Monoclonal antibodies Antibody-drug conjugates Nuclear export inhibitor Using these drugs together to treat multiple myeloma Bisphosphonates for bone disease
Therapy
Chemotherapy (chemo) is only used if multiple myeloma develops. Smoldering multiple myeloma Smoldering myeloma patients can do well for years without treatment. For many patients, starting treatment early does not seem to help them live longer. These patients are watched closely without starting chemo or other treatments for myeloma.
Nutrition
Other induction therapies include the following: Velcade (bortezomib ), Cytoxan® (cyclophosphamide), and dexamethasone (VCD or CyBorD) Velcade (bortezomib), Thalomid® (thalidomide ), and dexamethasone (VTD) Revlimid (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone (Rd) Velcade (bortezomib) and dexamethasone (Vd) ...
What is the best treatment for multiple myeloma?
Cyclophosphamide was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1959, and is still widely used to treat multiple myeloma, as well as many other types of cancer and autoimmune diseases. As a first-line therapy, it is most commonly given orally in combination with Velcade (bortezomib) and dexamethasone (CyBorD or VCd).
How are corticosteroids used to help with multiple myeloma?
Drug therapies for multiple myeloma The main types of drug therapies used to treat multiple myeloma are proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), steroids, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, antibodies and chemotherapy. Each works in a different way, but with the common goal of controlling and destroying multiple myeloma cells.
What is the medication that treats multiple myeloma called?
Jun 16, 2021 · If you're considered a candidate for bone marrow transplant, your initial therapy will likely include a combination of treatments, such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, corticosteroids and, sometimes, chemotherapy. Your blood stem cells will likely be collected after you've undergone a few months of treatment.
How are opioids used to treat pain from multiple myeloma?
high-dose chemotherapy (usually melphalan) with asct is a treatment that, for many eligible myeloma patients, offers the best chance for long-lasting response high-dose chemotherapy, though effective in killing myeloma cells, also destroys normal blood-forming cells (called hematopoietic stem cells) in the bone marrow stem cell transplantation …
What is the first-line of treatment for multiple myeloma?
The combination of a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent plus the steroid dexamethasone is the standard of care for newly diagnosed patients.
What is the drug of choice for multiple myeloma?
The drugs used most often for treating bone problems in people with myeloma are the bisphosphonates pamidronate (Aredia) and zoledronic acid (Zometa) and the drug denosumab (Xgeva, Prolia). These drugs are given intravenously (IV or into a vein) or subcutaneously (under the skin).Dec 6, 2021
What is the most common treatment for multiple myeloma?
Steroids. Corticosteroids help destroy myeloma cells and make chemotherapy more effective. The most common types used to treat myeloma are dexamethasone and prednisolone. Steroids are taken by mouth after eating.
How I treat newly diagnosed multiple myeloma?
Standard first-line therapy in the US for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in both transplant-eligible and non–transplant-eligible patients is RVd—the combination of lenalidomide (immunomodulatory drug), bortezomib (proteasome inhibitor), and steroids (dexamethasone).Feb 1, 2022
How long is VELCADE treatment for multiple myeloma?
Velcade is given for nine 6-week treatment cycles.
Why is dexamethasone used for multiple myeloma?
Dexamethasone and the other steroids are useful in myeloma treatment because they can stop white blood cells from traveling to areas where cancerous myeloma cells are causing damage. This decreases the amount of swelling or inflammation in those areas and relieves associated pain and pressure.Jul 13, 2016
How is first relapse of myeloma treated?
Patients who experience a biochemical relapse may be treated by increasing the medication dose if they are on maintenance lenalidomide; reintroducing dexamethasone; and/or adding another agent, such as elotuzumab.May 19, 2021
Why is dexamethasone used with Revlimid?
Blood clots. Heart attacks and strokes also happen more often in people who take REVLIMID with dexamethasone. To reduce this increased risk, most people who take REVLIMID will also take a blood thinner medicine.
What happens if you stop treatment for multiple myeloma?
But when treatment stops working, myeloma cells start growing again. It's called a relapse. Relapse is common for people with multiple myeloma. In fact, this cancer is known as a “remitting and relapsing” disease.Jun 24, 2020
What is the treatment for multiple myeloma?
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy (chemo) is the use of certain kinds of drugs that destroy or control the growth of cancer cells. These drugs can be taken by mouth or given in a vein or a muscle. They enter the bloodstream and reach almost all areas of the body. At one time, chemo was often part of the main treatment for multiple myeloma.
How many different drugs are used for multiple myeloma?
Although a single drug may be used to treat multiple myeloma, it is preferable to use at least 2 or 3 different kinds of drugs in combination because the cancer responds better. For example:
What are the side effects of thalidomide?
Side effects of thalidomide can include drowsiness, fatigue, severe constipation, and painful nerve damage ( neuropathy ).
Does Revlimid work for multiple myeloma?
There is also an increased risk of serious blood clots that start in the leg and can travel to the lungs. Lenalidomide (Revlimid) is similar to thalidomide. It works well in treating multiple myeloma. The most common side effects of lenalidomide are thrombocytopenia (low platelets) and low white blood cell counts.
What is the purpose of antibodies?
Antibodies are proteins made by the body’s immune system to help fight infections. Man-made versions (monoclonal antibodies) can be designed to attack a specific target, such as proteins on the surface of myeloma cells.
Is lenalidomide a maintenance therapy?
In patients, where the myeloma is in remission after either a stem cell transplant or initial treatment, lenalidomide may be given for maintenance therapy to prolong the remission. Pomalidomide (Pomalyst) is also related to thalidomide and is used to treat multiple myeloma.
What is Daratumumab used for?
This is thought to both kill the cancer cells directly and to help the immune system attack them. This drug is used mainly in combination with other types of drugs, although it can also be used by itself in patients who have already had several other treatments for their myeloma.
What is the best treatment for myeloma?
Patients with active myeloma or light chain amyloidosis are often given a combination of 2 or 3 drugs. The drugs chosen depend on the patient’s health (including their kidney function) and whether a stem cell transplant is planned. Often, a combination containing bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone is used.
What is the treatment for bone disease?
Treatment for bone disease (bisphosphonates) is often started along with chemo. If the areas of damaged bone continue to cause symptoms, radiation therapy may be used. Patients with multiple myeloma also receive supportive treatments, such as transfusions to treat low blood cell counts, and antibiotics and sometimes intravenous immunoglobulin ...
Can lenalidomide be used for myeloma?
This is known as maintenance treatment, and helps delay the return of the myeloma, but it can cause serious side effects. Many drugs and drug combinations can be useful in treating myeloma.
Can Bortezomib be used for multiple myeloma?
Combinations containing bortezomib are especially helpful in patients with kidney problems and those whose myeloma cells contain certain high-risk chromosome abnormalities. Many other combinations may be considered as well. For more on these drugs and some of the more common combinations used, see Drug Therapy for Multiple Myeloma. ...
What are the best treatments for myeloma?
What Are Your First-Line Treatment Options for Active Myeloma? 1 effectively control the disease 2 reverse myeloma-related complications 3 decrease the risk of early mortality 4 be well tolerated with minimal or manageable toxicity, and 5 not interfere with the need for stem cell collection.
What is frontline therapy for multiple myeloma?
Ideally, your frontline therapy (also called induction or first-line therapy ) should. effectively control the disease. reverse myeloma-related complications. decrease the risk of early mortality.
What is the standard of care for newly diagnosed patients?
The combination of a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent plus the steroid dexamethasone is the standard of care for newly diagnosed patients. Autologous stem cell transplant should be considered early in all transplant-eligible patients.
What is the treatment for multiple myeloma?
Pomalyst (pomali domide) is an oral treatment for multiple myeloma indicated, in combination with dexamethasone, for patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor. REVLIMID® | lenalidomide | len, R. Revlimid (lenalidomide), an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD®), ...
What is the name of the drug that kills cancer cells?
Pepaxto is the first anticancer peptide-drug conjugate approved by the FDA. TREANDA® | bendamustine. Treanda (bendamustine) belongs to a class of cancer chemotherapy drugs known as alkylating agents. It works by killing cancer cells or slowing their growth.
What is Ninlaro used for?
Proteasome inhibitors (PI) Ninlaro (ixazomib) is an oral prescription medicine used to treat multiple myeloma in combination with the medicines Revlimid® (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone, in people who have received at least one prior treatment.
What is Velcade used for?
Velcade is indicated for the treatment of newly diagnosed and relapsed or refractory myeloma.
Is selinexor a combination drug?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved selinexor in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.
What is Revlimid used for?
It is used in the newly diagnosed, maintenance therapy, and relapsed and/or refractory settings. THALOMID® | thalidomide | thal, T.
What is sarcisa used for?
It is used as an intravenously infused prescription medicine used to treat multiple myeloma in combination with the medicines Revlimid® (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone, in people who have received one to three prior treatments for their disease. Sarclisa (isatuximab-ifrc) is a novel anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.
What are the best drugs for multiple myeloma?
The main types of drug therapies used to treat multiple myeloma are proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), steroids, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, antibodies and chemotherapy. Each works in a different way, but with the common goal of controlling and destroying multiple myeloma cells.
How do steroids help with multiple myeloma?
Steroids are a staple of multiple myeloma treatment and are used at all stages of the disease. In high doses, steroids can kill multiple myeloma cells. They can also decrease inflammation by stopping white blood cells from flowing to the disease-affected areas, helping relieve pain and pressure.
Who is Steve Shak?
has served as the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Genomic Health since 2012, and was the Chief Medical Officer from 2000 – 2013. Under Steve’s leadership Genomic Health used innovative molecular diagnostic methods and rigorous clinical studies to develop the Oncotype DX® breast cancer and colon cancer assays and has maintained an 80% product development success rate. Steve has been a leader in personalized medicine for more than two decades.
What is the purpose of proteasome inhibitors?
Proteasome inhibitors are a staple of multiple myeloma treatment and are used throughout all stages of disease. Proteasomes are protein complexes that help cells — including cancer cells — dispose of old proteins so they can be replaced by newer versions.
How does Jessie take control of her life?
Jessie is determined to not let her diagnosis define her and dominate her life; therefore, she has taken control of the situation by continuing her research and education on her diagnosis and learning the importance of practicing self-awareness and self-advocacy for her own health. She has become dedicated in her efforts to incorporate being health-conscious in her lifestyle. Prior to her diagnosis, Jessie’s sense of self was connected to her career. Now, she's revisiting this and learning how to reinvent herself and the lifestyle she plans to lead.
Who is Mindy Flinn?
Mindy Flinn joined the MMRF in May 2020 as the Vice President of Development where she works with a talented team raising philanthropic support for the organization. She brings over 23 years of development experience to this position. Ms. Flinn spent over a decade in development at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and in Jacksonville, FL, where she oversaw the stewardship of top-level benefactors and served as a major gift officer. She also worked for the LIVESTRONG Foundation in Austin, TX as a major gift officer and was Director of Philanthropic Resources at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. Prior to joining the MMRF, she was Senior Director of Development at Yale School of Medicine. Ms. Flinn received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bethel University and a Master of Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University. Her additional accomplishments include successfully climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2012 as a member of Survivor Summit and skydiving.
Is PEPAXTO a monoclonal antibody?
PEPAXTO is an intravenous drug (used in combination with dexamethasone) that is given to patients who have received at least four prior lines of therapy and whose disease is refractory to at least one proteasome inhibitor, one immunomodulatory agent, and one CD38-directed monoclonal antibody.
What is the best treatment for myeloma?
Corticosteroids. Corticosteroid medications regulate the immune system to control inflammation in the body. They are also active against myeloma cells. Bone marrow transplant. A bone marrow transplant, also known as a stem cell transplant, is a procedure to replace your diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow.
What kind of doctor treats multiple myeloma?
If you're diagnosed with multiple myeloma, you'll likely be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating blood and bone marrow disorders (hematologist) or a doctor who specializes in treating cancer (oncologist).
What is the abnormal protein in myeloma?
Another abnormal protein produced by myeloma cells — called beta-2-microglobulin — may be detected in your blood and give your doctor clues about the aggressiveness of your myeloma. Additionally, blood tests to examine your kidney function, blood cell counts, ...
How to cope with cancer?
Coping and support. A cancer diagnosis can be shocking and devastating. With time, you'll find ways to cope with the stress and uncertainty of living with cancer. Until you find what works best for you, consider trying to: Learn enough to make decisions about your care. Learn enough about multiple myeloma so that you're able to participate in ...
What stage of myeloma is the most aggressive?
Stage I indicates a less aggressive disease, and stage III indicates the most aggressive disease. Your multiple myeloma may also be assigned a risk category, ...
How to cope with myeloma?
Start with the National Cancer Institute and the International Myeloma Foundation. Maintain a strong support system. Having a strong support system can help you cope with issues and anxieties that might occur. Your friends and family may be willing to offer support.
Can you get treatment for multiple myeloma?
If you have multiple myeloma but aren't experiencing any symptoms (also known as smoldering multiple myeloma), you might not need treatment right away. Immediate treatment may not be necessary for multiple myeloma that is slow growing and at an early stage.
Is 3 better than 2?
Three is Better Than Two. In general, Dr. Dispenzieri said, otherwise healthy patients with multiple myeloma who are 75 years old or younger are considered to be eligible for a stem cell transplant, whereas older patients are typically considered transplant ineligible because they are weaker and may have other health issues.
Can multiple myeloma patients have stem cells?
As part of first-line therapy, some patients with multiple myeloma may undergo a stem cell transplant. But because the procedure is time consuming and may cause serious side effects, patients may opt to delay it or to not have one at all. For patients who don’t intend to have a stem cell transplant immediately after diagnosis, ...
Does Bortezomib block proteasomes?
Bortezomib blocks the action of the proteasome (pictured above), a cellular complex that eliminates and recycles proteins that are damaged or no longer needed. For newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who plan to delay autologous stem cell transplantation, adding the targeted therapy bortezomib ...