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A combination of the drugs Velcade and belinostat may be active in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, according to results of a small Phase 1 clinical trial.

These results were presented during a poster session at the 2011 American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting last month.

Velcade (bortezomib) is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma.

Belinostat (PXD 101), which is being developed jointly by the American company Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SPPI) and the Danish company TopoTarget, belongs…

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MDS Patients Have Reduced Protein Production From Certain Types Of DNA – In an effort to better understand the biology of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), German researchers compared the production of protein from certain types of DNA in MDS patients and healthy people.  Results of the study showed reduced protein production from mitochondrial DNA in patients with MDS. Most of a cell’s DNA is found in the nucleus, but some DNA is also located in mitochondria. Mitochondria are tiny compartments in a cell that produce the cell’s energy and control cell growth. The study authors also found that protein production from mitochondrial DNA decreases as people age, regardless of whether they have MDS. However, having MDS had a larger impact on protein production than age.  For more information, please see the study in the journal Experimental Hematology (abstract).

Pre-Clinical Study Finds Velcade Displays Anti-MDS Activity – A recent study found that Velcade (bortezomib), a drug currently approved for the treatment of the blood cancer multiple myeloma, demonstrated antitumor activity in high-risk MDS cell lines. In the study, Velcade stopped cellular growth and killed high-risk MDS cell lines. Velcade also exhibited synergistic activity when combined with chemotherapeutic agents cytarabine (Cytosar-U) and daunorubicin (Cerubidine). For more information, please see the study in the journal Hematology (abstract).

Walk To Benefit Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation – The Hope, Steps & A Cure Walk is being held on Saturday, April 30, in Long Beach, CA for the benefit of the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation. The one-mile walk starts at 10 a.m. and will follow the shoreline marina. Registration opens at 9 a.m. Activities after the race, including a silent auction and talks by inspirational speakers, will give participants the opportunity to connect with one another. For more information, please visit the Hope, Steps & A Cure website.

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

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A Phase 2 study found that the drug Velcade had limited efficacy in myelodysplastic syndromes patients.

However, the study authors suggested that Velcade’s efficacy in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) may be improved in the combination with other drugs.

Few treatment options exist for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients besides stem cell transplantation. Transplantation is often not an option because a donor match cannot be found or the patient is not healthy enough.

Velcade (bortezomib), which is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Millenium Pharmaceuticals, is a drug that kills cancer cells. It is…

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Velcade (bortezomib) may have some efficacy in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) according to Phase 2 study conducted by Italian researchers. The findings will be presented at the 51st Annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting and exposition on December 5.

Velcade, a proteasome inhibitor, is an FDA-approved therapeutic agent for the treatment of multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. It is currently being studied for the treatment of MDS.

The study included 10 MDS patients with a median age of 64 years. Velcade was…