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.

I follow an underground, counter-culture type medical blog called Medicynic.  Always good to get a different perspective, right?  Here is a link to a story I read there today:  Why We Need Comparative Medical Studies:  Zometa.

Here is another interesting research finding about bone strength/health from Australia’s Rheumatology Update:

I’m writing this from the infusion unit at Moffitt Cancer Center here in Florida.  Time for my three month check and bisphosphonate infusion.

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

Here is a link to an excellent article about bone health and multiple myeloma, written by fellow myeloma patient David Everson on his People Beating Cancer site:

Laura Macfarlane wrote this article for an Australian oncology newsletter, Oncology Update, this week:

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.

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