Patients with multiple myeloma are at increased risk for early death from infection after high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), according to the results of a study published in the American Journal of Hematology.

As new therapies come to market, patients with multiple myeloma have more treatment options that are improving outcomes and extending overall survival. However, the most effective options involve multidrug combinations and continuous maintenance therapy, which can result in cumulative toxicities and the potential for oncologic emergencies.

Adding bortezomib to combination therapy with lenalidomide and dexamethasone may improve progression-free and overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. The study findings were published in Lancet.

On February 22, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lenalidomide (Revlimid^®, Celgene Corp.) as maintenance therapy for patients with multiple myeloma following autologous stem cell transplant.

A new study has found that use of statin medications in patients with multiple myeloma was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause and cancer-specific mortality. The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

An interview with Beth Faiman, PhD, CNP, and Kimberly Noonan, NP

This content was developed by ONS, Beth Faiman, PhD, CNP, and Kimberly Noonan, NP, and is sponsored by Amgen. Faiman and Noonan received no payment for their participation.