ASCO Audio Journal of Oncology – May 15th, 2006

Myeloablative Radioimmunotherapy Eases Autologous Stem Cell Transplantations in Patients Age 60 years or Older With Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Lymphoma

ABSTRACT: 2005 American Society of Hematology Meeting, Atlanta, Abstract 487Ajay Gopal, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, SeattleRadioimmunotherapy at myeloablative doses may hold the key to treating patients with lymphoma over the age of 60 who would otherwise be denied transplants on grounds of the treatment being too harsh for their age.

New Targeted Therapy for Older Patients With Advanced Acute Myeloid Leukemia

REFERENCE: 2005 American Society of Hematology Meeting, Atlanta, Abstract 397John Pagel, University of Washington, SeattleReduced intensity conditioning, sometimes called “mini transplants” offer an option which could safely be used to treat older patients with multiple myeloma.

Phase III Study of Lenalidomide Plus Dexamethasone Versus Dexamethasone Alone in Multiple Myeloma

REFERENCE: 2005 American Society of Hematology Meeting, Atlanta, Abstract 6Meletios Dimopoulos, University of Athens, Greece58% of patients with heavily pre-treated multiple myeloma responded to a combination of the thalidomide analog lenalidomide combined with the standard drug dexamethazone, as compared with only 22% treated with dexamethazone alone. The study of 700 patients found better response rates and time to progression in the lenalidomide-treated group.