Most of you probably know that I have been working on several new books about multiple myeloma. 

I have been following the progress of one of our patient readers who also lives in the Tampa area.

I flew out to Los Angeles late last fall to interview Dr. James Berenson at the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research.

Novartis Oncology paid for my time and travel.  The primary purpose of the trip was to produce a video for Novartis about their IV bisphosphonate drug, Zometa.  An independent company, WEGO Health, facilitated the interview.

Yesterday I provided you with a link to a site on http://www.mymultiplemyeloma.com/, where patients and/or caregivers can access video footage of other patients, all discussing how they live with their cancer.

This article from WebMD speaks for itself:

Hot “off the presses,” here is yesterday afternoon’s announcement from the FDA as reported by Reuters:
FDA OKs Amgen’s bone drug in certain cancers
Nov 18 2010 – By Deena Beasley

* Denosumab approved for patients with solid tumors
* Not approved for multiple myeloma
* Shares rise 1.6 percent

I have been hearing a lot about a new, experimental bone strengthening drug, Prolia, lately.  The Myeloma Beacon ran an article about it this week.  Did you see it?

Lots of excitement and questions swirling around bisphosphonates lately.  Aredia is the tried and true, less expensive, more conservative option.  Zometa is much stronger than Aredia and requires a far shorter infusion time.  Both drugs can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw (OMJ).  A brand new alternative, Prolia should also be available soon.  There are other new, developmental bisphosphonate and bisphosphonate alternatives on the horizon as well.

There is no question stem cell transplants (SCTs) help many patients for a number of years. But the procedure is not without risk—and some patients get very little benefit in the end.

There has been a lot of interest and concern about the recent FDA warning about bone strengthening drugs like Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, Reclast and Boniva.

Yesterday was my three month multiple myeloma check-up at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.  Before I head out for an early morning meeting, I wanted to give a quick shout-out to my two wonderful Infusion Center nurses, Stephanie and Trinh.  Stephanie recently moved to Florida from Philadelphia along with her husband, a physician who also works at Moffitt.  Her nickname is “One Stick Stephanie.”  One of the best IV placements I have ever experienced–always an unexpected pleasure!  After all of the poking and proding and IV’s and blood draws I was a bit “out of it” by day’s end. Trinh stepped in and made sure I was OK and got me ready to get back home.  Thanks Trinh!  Thanks Stephanie!  You were both personable, helpful and professional.  Nurses rule!

I attend multiple myeloma support groups regularly. I understand there is a majority sentiment among members to stop using bisphosphonates (Aredia and Zometa) as quickly as their oncologist will allow.

There has been a long standing debate among the myeloma community concerning bisphosphonates.  Many myeloma docs now believe Zometa and Aredia provide anti-myeloma benefits, in addition to helping bones recover.  I received the following e-mail Friday from Larry, following release of pre-ASCO research data.  Larry represents a group of multiple myeloma patients who take this research very, very seriously.  Although he doesn’t have a science background, you can tell Larry really knows his stuff!  Here is the body of his e-mail:

Here are links to several articles I recently ran on our other site, http://www.helpwithcancer.org/.  The first was a story comparing recent success rates of therapies for small cell lung cancer vs multiple myeloma.  Next was an interesting article in last month’s LA Times about a supplement which is reported to boost stem cell production.  Finally, you may want to read today’s post about my visit to the Moffit Cancer Center’s infusion unit for my now quarterly Aredia IV.

I have been getting e-mails aking about bisphosphonates lately.  Recommended frequency and duration come up most often.  I’m not a doctor.  But the trend has been to stop using Aredia or Zometa sooner rather than later.  How about dosing every three weeks rather than monthly?  If you doctor thinks it is a good idea, why not?  Just not for an indefinite amount of time.  Here is an article I wrote on the subject after discussing Aredia with the International Myeloma Foundation’s (IMF) Medical Director Dr. Brian Durie last September:

During our interview at the end of July, Dr. Brian Durie stressed the benefits of using Aredia (his bisphosphonate of choice) or Zometa to treat multiple myeloma. These drugs not only help strenghten and repair damaged bones, they can also reduce the size and number of lesions and help reduce the number of myeloma cells in the bone marrow as well, especially when used in combination with Velcade, Revlimid or Thalidomide.

There is a new, soon to be approved bone strengthener called Denusomab. All three physician/speakers at last week’s conference seemed excited about this new drug. Drugs.com describes the new drug this way:

Let’s start our series about bone health, damage and repair with a post I wrote in July about the subject:

Pamidronate disodium is the generic name for Aredia, a powerful bisphosphonate. Tomorrow morning I will be receiving my 3 hour Aredia IV at a local hospital. I was getting these treatments monthly for the first two years following my multiple myeloma diagnosis. Now I undergo treatment every two or three months. Aredia and Zometa (zoledronic acid) are thought of as bone strengtheners, which is important. But both drugs also seem to aid in the reduction of myeloma lesions (tumors), as well as helping to prevent lesions from appearing in the future. So wish me luck tomorrow: May my favorite oncology nurse find a vein on the first stick!
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat