What's News

• Scientists Clone Human But Therapies Still Far Off
  South Korean scientists were not trying to make a human being, but aiming at a technique called therapeutic cloning, to make stem cells. (from Reuters)
  
  
• Medicare Changes Impact Care
  IMF Advocate Greg Brozeit reports that anecdotal evidence is building that the recently enacted Medicare rules changes for oncology drugs is having an impact on patients and oncologists throughout the nation.
  
  
• Human Genome Sciences Will Abandon Drug
  In Trial, Repifermin Did Not Significantly Ease Chemotherapy Condition (from Washington Post)
  
  
• Patients needing injectable drugs on tightrope of costs vs. care
  Co-payments have been gradually rising for many categories of benefits for several years. But when they apply to the most expensive injectables, for which there are no alternatives, the dilemma for patients becomes especially troublesome. (from the San Diego Union Tribune)
  
  
• Cancer survival improves despite more cases
  Although Cancer Research UK reports that the cancer death rate in the UK has fallen by 18% for men and 6% for women in a generation, there have been increases in certain cancers, including myeloma. (from the Guardian United)
  • Statistical Tables from Cancer Research UK
    
    
• Man Survives After Tumor Nearly Pushes Eye Out
  UC San Diego physicians put his myeloma in remission with a cocktail of arsenic and thalidomide. (from the San Diego Channel)
  
  
• Renewed life for old drugs
  The lay press looks at thalidomide. (from the Mercury News)
  
  
• Q & A on the News
  Inquiring minds ask about Geraldine Ferraro's health. (from the Minneapolis Star Tribune)

• Multiple myeloma: comparison of two dose-intensive melphalan regimens (100 vs 200 mg/m(2)).
  Palumbo A, Bringhen S, Bertola A, Cavallo F, Falco P, Massaia M, Bruno B, Rus C, Barbui A, Caravita T, Musto P, Pescosta N, Rossini F, Vignetti M, Boccadoro M.
  90 patients at diagnosis were treated with two MEL100 courses. Their clinical outcome was compared with that of a control group of 90 pair mates matched for serum beta2-microglobulin levels and Durie and Salmon clinical stage. These patients were treated at diagnosis with two MEL200 courses.
  
  
• c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase inhibition arrests growth in multiple myeloma cells
  In this study, researchers examine the biologic effect of JNK inhibition in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines.
  
  
• Telomerase inhibition is a unique strategy for treating hematological cancers
  Researchers found that telomerase is important for the replication of mature B-cell neoplasia by stabilizing short telomeres, and they suggest that telomerase inhibition represents a novel therapeutic approach to MM and NHL.
  
  
• Thalidomide treatment possibly caused multiple myeloma dedifferentiation
  According to researchers, a possible dedifferentiation of MM should be taken into account in MM patients treated with thalidomide when clinical course deteriorates despite reduction of M-component.

What's New in Clinical Trials:
(Drugs listed In alphabetical order.)

The Myeloma Matrix updated 02/04/04
New drug added:
Preclinical - IMMU-110   


REVIMID
Open Label Multicenter Phase II REVIMID study list as of 1/14/04
Phase III REVIMID study list as of 12/22/03


THALOMID
Phase III THALOMID study list as of 12/22/03
New Active foreign sites for the randomized thal/dex study.


TRISENOX
Study list as of 01/14/04


VELCADE
Velcade Clinical Trials as of 12/15/03


Cancer Trials Support Unit: A Web Based System That Offers Efficient and Effective Tools for Clinical Trials Management.
The Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) is an NCI funded program to facilitate participation (by both patients and physicians) in phase III NCI sponsored Cancer treatment trials.

Senate Passes Funding Bill; Includes Money for Myeloma Community
Funding to help support the IMF’s BANK ON A CURE® program highlighted the end of the congressional session for the myeloma and cancer communities.


One Voice Against Cancer Advocacy Training in Los Angeles
One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) will hold a day-long advocacy training session in Los Angeles , CA area on Saturday, February 21. 


One Voice Against Cancer Lobby Day Set for Washington , DC
The 4^th annual One Voice Against Cancer Lobby Day will be held on April 19-20 in Washington , DC .  The location of the training day will be announced in a future edition of the Myeloma Minute.

If you are interested in attending or want further information, please contact Greg Brozeit at greg.brozeit@sbcglobal.net or 330-865-0046.

Quality of Life Update:

• The First Patient and Survivor Forum: Learning, Laughing and Living
  May 22 - 23, 2004
  Dallas, Texas
  Cure Magazine is sponsoring this forum on both sides of the cancer experience: medical and emotional. Topics include healthy eating, intimacy and sexuality, "chemobrain," long-term and late effects, and family communication.
  

Upcoming Seminars and Conferences:

• Minneapolis Patient and Family Retreat
  Minneapolis, Minnesota
  March 12-13, 2004
  Two can attend for the price of one if you register before February 14!
  
  
• Vienna Patient and Family Seminar
  Vienna, Austria
  April 17-18, 2004
  
  
• Istanbul Physician and Patient Seminar
  Istanbul, Turkey
  July 4, 2004
  
  
• Support Group Leaders Retreat
  July 9 - 11, 2004
  Durham, North Carolina
  
  
• San Jose Patient and Family Seminar
  July 16-17, 2004
  San Jose, California
  
  
• San Diego Patient and Family Seminar
  San Diego, CA
  August, 2004
  (Date subject to change.)
  
  
• Barcelona Patient and Family Seminar
  Barcelona, Spain
  September 18, 2004
  
  
• Paris Patient and Family Seminar
  Paris, France
  September 24, 2004
  
  
• Torino Patient and Family Seminar
  Torino, Italy
  October 1, 2004
  
  
• Teaneck Patient and Family Retreat
  Teaneck, NJ
  October 8-9, 2004

Upcoming Fundraisers:

FUNdraising Made Easy
You know you want to do something, but deciding on what to do can be confusing. The IMF can help. Last year, our members really rallied 'round the cause and raised a lot of money for myeloma research and programs.

We are already getting calls from new members who want to join in the effort and hold an event this year. Suzanne Battaglia is waiting for your call. She is here to help you plan and execute your event, so please write, call or email (SBattaglia@myeloma.org) so that you can get on our Calendar of Events!

See what you can do in your community to help further the goal of finding the cure!

• Mardi Gras Costume Ball
  February 17, 2004
  Chicago, IL
  
  
  
• Diane Jette is running the Paris Marathon to support the IMF.
  Diane Jette's mother and stepfather both have myeloma.And so she is running on April 4, 2004 in their honor to support the work of the IMF. Read her story...
  
  
• Third Annual Multiple Musicians Against Multiple Myeloma
  July 18, 2004
  Long Island, NY
  
  
• Kathy McCormick Memorial Golf Tournament
  July 26, 2004
  Hampstead, MD
  
  
• 14th Annual Ribbon of Hope Gala
  November 6, 2004
  Los Angeles, CA
  
  
• Volume II of Cooking for a Cure is in the Works!
  The collection of recipes for Volume II of our very popular healthy food cookbook is being led by Marilyn Alexander, a myeloma survivor from Philadelphia. Please help us with this important project by submitting your favorite recipes.
  

• Bart Barlogie, M.D. To Receive 2004 Robert A. Kyle Lifetime Achievement Award
  May 8, 2004
  The International Myeloma Foundation is proud to present its second Robert A. Kyle Lifetime Achievement Award to Bart Barlogie, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Pathology, and Director of the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy in Little Rock, Arkansas
  
  
• GTC Telecom is reaching out on behalf of the IMF with a wonderful new way for you to help fight myeloma while saving yourself money at the same time!
  By signing up for the IMF Long Distance Plan, 10% of what you spend on your long distance calls every month will be directly donated to the International Myeloma Foundation. This fantastic long distance plan offers you savings of up to 40% or more over what you may currently be paying! Click on the link to find out more.
  
  
• Have an old cell phone lying around?
  Donate your old cell phone, get a tax deduction, and become part of the cure. The IMF receives a donation for every cell phone collected. Find out how.
  
  
• The Catlett Card Series
  The Catlett Cards are designed by Irma Catlett in memory of her husband Lou. The stunning cards are perfect for thank-you's, birthdays, anniversaries, and just general correspondence. All proceeds go to support the programs of the IMF.
• IMFers Esther and Herman Adler, of Adler & Company Jewelers in Los Angeles are continuing their generous offer to help the IMF. Buy beautiful jewelry at wholesale prices, tell them you are an IMFer, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the IMF.
  

• The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Office of Education and Special Initiatives is looking for patients, family caregivers, and physicians who are interested in participating in telephone focus groups and in-depth interviews. Payment will be provided to all participants.
  
  • Program for English speakers
    
  • Program for Spanish speakers
    
    
• BANK ON A CURE®
  BANK ON A CURE is an innovative and powerful concept designed to establish a method to find new treatments for multiple myeloma and other related diseases as well as the possibility of new cures, while customizing care for current patients.
  
  
• Myeloma Matrix
  The Myeloma Matrix provides updated information about drugs beginning with pre-clinical developments and tracks drugs as they proceed through Phases I – III of clinical trials, drugs that have been FDA approved, and information on trials that are being conducted by NCI- sponsored cooperative groups as well as other myeloma study groups. The online version is updated regularly. If you would like to have a printed copy, call the toll-free hotline (800) 452-2873.
  
  
• International Prognostic Index
  The International Myeloma Foundation is proud to sponsor the International Prognostic Index (IPI) Classification for Multiple Myeloma. Nearly twenty myeloma institutions from around the world are collaborating to create an updated staging system for multiple myeloma.
  
  
• NexCura Cancer Profiler
  The Cancer Profiler is a free service (no hidden fees or charges). Its tools provide you with information specific to your cancer diagnosis to help you make more informed treatment decisions along with your physician.
  
  
• Expert Opinions on Multiple Myeloma
  A multimedia, CME-accredited program for physicians with the chance to see world-renowned myeloma specialists sharing their knowledge, discussing treatment choices, and comparing their perspectives on controversial issues in multiple myeloma and related diseases.
  
  
• Myeloma At The Movies
  It has been our goal to bring our Patient & Family Seminars to people around the country who might not be able to attend an actual meeting, so we have set up a video lending library.
  
  
• HealthTalk's Multiple Myeloma Education Network
  The latest interview is Dr. Durie interviewing Dr. David Siegel about what's new in research for relapsing and refractory multiple myeloma. .

Be Part of the Cure!