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| by.dalang bro |
This is based on two studies that will be presented at a meeting of the American Society of Hematology, in Orlando, Florida
Results from the first study showed that treating patients with multiple myeloma with zoledronic acid can increase survival. While a group of other researchers are scheduled to report their progress in treating a very aggressive form ymphoblastic acute leukemia (ALL).
Zoledronic acid, the type of bisphosphonate, given to myeloma patients to improve bone health and reduce the risk of fractures and bone pain which is a common feature of the disease.
Although previous studies have suggested that zoledronic acid (brand names including Zometa and Reclast), may have broader anti-cancer effects, the research found that the regimen is well tolerated by the drug may reduce the risk of death among patients with myeloma.
The study is published in the online edition of The Lancet, 4 December.
"These data add to growing clinical evidence supporting the anticancer benefits of zoledronic acid in patients with newly diagnosed cancer," said study leader Gareth J. Morgan of the Institute of Cancer Research in London, in a journal news release.
The authors based the conclusion on studies involving 1960 patients with multiple myeloma, approximately half of those undergoing treatment with zoledronic acid in combination with intensive chemotherapy or non-intensive. The other half received clodronic acid (another type of bisphosphonate) and chemotherapy regimen equivalent.
Treatment was continued for an average of one year, while continuing to be followed for nearly four years.
The zoledronic acid patients experienced 16% fewer deaths (and to see them extended life expectancy of 5.5 months), compared with those who underwent an alternative treatment program.
The team also noted that the rate of progression-free survival to 12% better among those who received zoledronic acid. The intensity of chemotherapy did not appear to affect mortality and survival.
However, in an accompanying editorial, Dr. S. Vincent Rajkumar of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, says high-potency bisphosphonates can lead to serious complications. He recommended further studies to determine the appropriate dose and treatment time.
A second study presented at a meeting scheduled for Monday, in a meeting report promising results for regimen hematology imatinib (Gleevec) in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph +) ALL, the form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia are rapidly dividing and have a poor prognosis.
The team, led by Adele K. Fielding of the University College London, tracked the results of treatment of about 440 patients. The first group of Ph + patients treated solely with chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation before imatinib became available in 2003.
Post-2003, a second group received 600 milligrams per day of imatinib after two rounds of chemotherapy. And in 2005, the third group received imatinib at the previous round in relation to the second round of chemotherapy. The patients imatinib continued their drug regimen for two years.
After three years of follow-up, Fielding and colleagues found that each successive approach produces better results.
In the pre-imatinib group, the survival rate is 25%. In contrast, survival increased to 34% among post-chemotherapy group imatinib and 48% among the group with chemotherapy.
The researchers concluded that early treatment with imatinib can optimize the long-term survival.
The findings of both studies 'makes sense' to Dr. Marshall Lichtman, a professor of medicine and biochemistry and biophysics at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, New York.
"In the case of myeloma, 5-10 years seen a marked improvement in the survival and well-being of patients with advances in therapy. And it has been known for some time that bisphosphonates affect not only bone health but on myeloma cells," he said.
