Molecular 'GPS' Helps Researchers Probe Processes Important in Aging and Disease
The buildup of oxygen radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells contributes to aging and possibly to diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. But in moderate amounts, ROS also help keep cells healthy by controlling cell division, movement and other normal biological processes. The researchers received funding from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Researchers Identify Protein-Telomere Interactions That Could be Key in Treating Cancer
A team of researchers from The Wistar Institute have shown that a large non-coding RNA in mammals and yeast plays a central role in helping maintain telomeres, the tips of chromosomes that contain important genetic information and help regulate cell division. Since this RNA also facilitates the formation of DNA at telomeres-a process that can protect aging cells and destabilize tumor cells-manipulating its expression may be useful in treating cancer and other diseases. This work was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Special Fellow Award, and a University of Pennsylvania Training Grant in Tumor Virology . 

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Managing Myeloma:  An Expert's Update
Register for this free telephone education program taking place on Thursday, October 29, 2009 with featured speaker Kenneth C. Anderson, MD, Kraft Family Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Chief, Division of Hematologic Neoplasia, Director, Lebow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics and Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Vice Chair, Joint Program in Transfusion Medicine, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA.
 
Financial Health Matters
Participate in this Internet webcast which features interviews with Anita Welborn, LMSW of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Dana Krohn of the Medicare Rights Center and David Landay, Esq. of Survivorship A to Z and focuses on the financial impact a cancer diagnosis can have, with information on insurance programs and resources for support.

My Personal Clinical Trials Journey
Participate in this personalized and interactive program that follows the stories and experiences of three cancer survivors who have participated in clinical trials.

Co-Pay Assistance Program
Patients with myeloma who have difficulty paying for or simply cannot afford their prescription drug co-pays or health insurance premiums can now apply for up to $5,000 in assistance from LLS.

Archived Educational Events
Experience archived Myeloma teleconferences and Webcasts free of charge, anytime. Also, the opportunity to download the audio file, read the written transcript or listen online to the recent program Emerging Therapies in Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma are now available on the LLS Web site. 

LLS Advocacy
LLS's advocacy team represents the needs of cancer patients and their families in Washington, DC and state capitals throughout the United States. We need your help. Join our Advocates Network and make your voice heard.

Act Now! - Urge Congress to Co-Sponsor Access to Cancer Clinical Trials Legislation

Free Materials
New detailed and basic myeloma booklets are now available in English and Spanish. To view and order, see Myeloma, The Myeloma Guide, Mieloma and La guía sobre el myeloma.

We'd Like to Hear from You!
Please give us your feedback after you read an LLS Publication by completing our evaluation:
LLS Disease & Treatment Publications - Survey for Patients, Family and Friends

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Publicaciones de LLS sobre enfermedades y tratamiento: Encuesta para pacientes, familiares y amigos

LLS Blog

• LLS-funded researcher Brian Druker receives the Lasker~DeBakey Award
• LLS Gets Social During Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma Awareness Month

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is committed to curing blood cancers and helping patients and their families. Learn the many ways you can help advance LLS's mission. 

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Clinical development of novel proteasome inhibitors for cancer treatment ::READ MORE::

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may reverse renal failure in patients with multiple myeloma. ::READ MORE::

Bortezomib alone or in combination with the histone deacetylase inhibitor JNJ-26481585: effect on myeloma bone disease in the 5T2MM murine model of myeloma. ::READ MORE::

Phase II Study of Thalidomide Plus Dexamethasone Induction Followed by Tandem Melphalan-Based Autotransplantation and Thalidomide-Plus-Prednisone Maintenance for Untreated Multiple Myeloma: A Southwest Oncology Group Trial (S0204). ::READ MORE::

Phase III: Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone with or without Bortezomib in Treating Patients with Previously Untreated Multiple Myeloma ::READ MORE::

Phase I/II Study of Bendamustine Combined with Bortezomib for Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma ::READ MORE::

Phase II Study of the Safety and Effectiveness of CNTO 328 when Added to Velcade-Melphalan-Prednisone in Patients with Multiple Myeloma ::READ MORE::

Q: I am being treated for myeloma. What should I know about flu shots?

A: According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 83 percent of the US population is specifically recommended for annual vaccination against seasonal influenza. Chief medical officer at LLS, Barton Kamen, MD, PhD says "Seasonal flu shots are recommended for cancer survivors and anyone who has contact with a cancer patient. The ideal time to be vaccinated for seasonal flu is in the fall. Keep in mind that it takes about two weeks for the shot to begin providing protection. Before you get the shot let your doctor know about any allergies you have and any previous reactions to a flu shot."

In general, patients undergoing cancer treatment are advised to receive a flu shot rather than the nasal mist form of the flu vaccine. Shots are safe for people with compromised immune systems because they are made from inactivated virus; the flu mist is made from a live virus. For cancer patients who have had a stem cell transplant, guidelines established by the CDC and the American Society for Blood & Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) recommend flu shots for all bone marrow, stem cell and cord blood transplant survivors beginning one-year post-transplant and continuing every year thereafter. The flu shot is also recommended for others living or working in the household. Although most transplant centers follow the current CDC guidelines regarding flu shots, some recommend flu shots even earlier than one year post-transplant. For more information about recommended vaccinations after transplant from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research click here.

A type of flu virus called "novel influenza A (H1N1)" and also referred to as "swine flu" was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. It is spread from person-to-person, probably in a similar way as regular seasonal flu viruses. Recently, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued guidelines regarding the use of vaccine against infection with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. The guidelines are intended to provide healthcare providers and the public with information about the population groups who are recommended to be first to receive the H1N1 2009 vaccine. The licensed H1N1 vaccine was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The vaccine is expected to be available by mid-October 2009.

The CDC says that all persons, including those older than 65 years of age, who are currently recommended for seasonal influenza vaccine, should receive the seasonal vaccine as soon as it is available. In addition, persons aged 25 to 64 years who are at greater risk for influenza-related complications because of underlying medical conditions, pregnant women, household contacts or caregivers for infants younger than 6 months, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, children and young adults 6 months to 24 years of age, comprise the general population groups that should be targeted as an initial focus of vaccination efforts. Inactivated vaccines against seasonal flu and H1N1 viruses may be administered at the same time, using different injection sites on the body.

The medical conditions that increase the risk for flu-related complications include

• Hematologic, renal, hepatic, cognitive, neurologic/neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders, including diabetes;
• Immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus
• Chronic pulmonary conditions, including asthma; cardiovascular conditions except for hypertension. 

Although the H1N1 vaccine is not available yet, there are steps you can take to help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like the flu. For more information on the H1N1 virus click here . The CDC recommendations for seasonal flu are available at the CDC Web page.

Please call our Information Resource Center (IRC) to speak with a trained information specialist. IRC staff are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, toll free at (800) 955-4572. Contact us online or click the "Live Patient Help" button on the www.LLS.org homepage.

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