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Protein Interaction May Affect Revlimid Dosage – Results from a Phase 1 clinical trial indicate that P-glycoprotein, which removes certain drugs from cells into the bloodstream, interferes with Revlimid (lenalidomide) dosage in the body. High P-glycoprotein levels may cause drug resistance in cancerous cells. Revlimid is currently approved in the U.S. for use in patients with multiple myeloma and transfusion-dependent, lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients with a deletion in chromosome 5. In the study, researchers evaluated the activity and safety of Revlimid in combination with Torisel (temsirolimus) in multiple myeloma patients. They found that the concentration of Revlimid in patients’ bloodstreams was higher than expected, which experiments later showed was due to P-glycoprotein removing Revlimid from cancerous cells. The addition of Torisel resulted in a lower rate of Revlimid removal, which the study’s researchers pointed to as evidence of interaction between Revlimid and Torisel via P-glycoprotein. For more information, please see the study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (abstract) or the Ohio State University Medical Center press release.

Modified Versions Of Ecstasy May Possess Anti-Cancer Activity – Researchers have made modified forms of the illegal drug ecstasy (MDMA) that kill white blood cell cancers 100 times more effectively than ecstasy itself.  Ecstasy has been known to kill cancers involving white blood cells, such as multiple myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma.  However, the doses of ecstasy necessary to treat cancer would be lethal to the patient.  The new, more potent forms have the potential to be safe at therapeutic doses.  For more information, see the study in the journal Investigational New Drugs (abstract).

Webinar On Making Treatment Decisions In MDS – On September 1, the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation (AA&MDSIF) is hosting a webinar on making treatment decisions in MDS. Dr. Mikkael Sekeres of the Cleveland Clinic will lead the webinar, which starts at 1 p.m. EST. Dr. Sekeres will first review the diagnostic and prognostic criteria used for MDS and the available treatment options. He will then present a simulated patient journey to discuss his treatment decisions, starting at diagnosis. At the end of the webinar, there will be time for questions. For more information or to register, please see the AA&MDSIF website.

For a more detailed listing of upcoming MDS-related events, please check the MDS Beacon Events Calendar.