How Gene Editing Can Help Lead to a Cure (Part Two) and the 2017 Nobel Prizes for Science

Submitted by blackswan on Fri, 10/06/2017 - 03:47

In last week’s blog post, I discussed the ways in which CRISPR gene-editing technology is allowing researchers to study disease and intervene at the molecular level. There is a sense of euphoria that so many things can be accomplished and, as I noted, the sky is the limit in the potential applications.

Can New Gene-Editing Tools Provide the Roadmap to A Cure for Myeloma?

Submitted by blackswan on Thu, 09/28/2017 - 21:35

CRISPR technology was the 2015 science breakthrough of the year. The discovery and implementation of this technology has set off a revolution in genetic research and treatment. But what does it mean for cancer, and specifically, might CRISPR technology be used to help find a cure for myeloma?

Further FDA clinical trial holds may signal the end for checkpoint inhibitors in myeloma

Submitted by blackswan on Fri, 09/22/2017 - 02:38

With the placement of two more checkpoint inhibitor combination trials on partial hold, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now halted all such trials from four different pharmaceutical companies: Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, and now Roche.  Roche and its subsidiary Genentech announced that the agency has placed a partial hold on two trials that combine atezolizumab (Tecentriq®) with lenalidomide (Revlimid®) or pomalidomide (Pomalyst®) to treat relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

University of California girds to combat cancer, a closer look at CAR-T cell therapy, and medical tourism to China—a wave of the future?

Submitted by blackswan on Thu, 09/14/2017 - 21:26

With new drug approvals and expanded indications for new myeloma drugs at an all-time high, there is a sense of optimism in the myeloma community. Yet, even as patients experience longer survival, myeloma remains very sneaky. The disease can evolve into resistant relapse phases, demanding new therapy.

Closing or Halting of Myeloma Immune Therapy Trials: A Major Setback for Patients and Drug Companies

Submitted by blackswan on Fri, 09/08/2017 - 04:09

When the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) halted three Keytruda (pembrolizumab) clinical trials recently because of unexpected deaths, it was cause for concern. This week, the FDA has acted to close further studies involving the whole range of PD-1/ PD-L1 inhibitors combined with the IMiDs Revlimid (lenalidomide) and Pomalyst (pomalidomide) in order to forestall any further unexpected toxicities and/or deaths.

Pages

more