The study from Johns Hopkins has been discussed in blogs, articles and listservs all over the internet. Below is one of the articles discussing the study.
The main question in my mind is what does the study mean to survivors? David
"'Cancer stem cells that have distinct biology and drug sensitivity as compared with the bulk of a cancer may explain why multiple myeloma, like many other cancers, so often relapses even after chemotherapy puts patients into remission,†says Richard J. Jones, M.D., professor and director of bone marrow transplant at Hopkins’ Kimmel Cancer Center and one of the scientists who authored the new report."
Unfortunately, I don't think it means much for us in the short-term . But the fact that these J.Hopkins' researchers have essentially proven that a very small population of hearty clonogenic myeloma cells exist, that these cells resemble normal stem cells (no kidding) and are resistant to four of the main chemo agents used in the conventional treatment of myeloma...well, this is fantastic news...for the FUTURE. Also, these researchers may have found out WHY these stem cells are resistant to conventional treatment. This also is very good news. Again, for the future.
By the way, I have read the full study, which is fascinating and not too hard to read if you skip the very technical parts, and am about to post about it on my blog. Today or tomorrow. Which reminds me: if anyone here would like to see the full J.Hopkins study, please drop me a line. I will of course need an e-mail address, so perhaps you could leave me a comment on my blog if you don't know MY e-mail address.
I personally am very interested in the development and outcome of the DMAPT clinical trial, which should be about to begin in the UK and at the U. of Rochester. DMAPT is a parthenolide analogue (parthenolide is extracted from the feverfew plant, and DMAPT apparently annihilates leukemic STEM cells, yeah!) .
Exciting times...let's hope! :-)
Take care, everyone,
Margaret. Florence, Italy. Blog URL: http://margaret.healthblo...
Hi everyone! I wanted to post the link to an excellent presentation given to the North Texas Myeloma Support Group re. cancer stem cells, in particular myeloma ones. It's very clear and well done, so I would urge anyone interested in stem cells to have a look: http://tinyurl.com/2fhm9a
An interesting piece of info was that myeloma patients should avoid taking astragalus because it is a telomerase activator...well, it is all explained in plain language by the presentation so I won't get into it.Â
I also posted briefly about this presentation on my blog (see link next to or below my name) together with a gorgeous photo of my gorgeous kitten. :-)
Take care,
Margaret. Florence, Italy. Blog URL: http://margaret.healthblo...
Here is a pr release discussing the myeloma stem cell study from Johns-Hopkins-
"The Johns Hopkins scientists also compared the response of these special stem cells with the bulk of multiple myeloma plasma cells, to four different chemotherapy medications commonly used to treat patients with the disease: dexamethasone, lenadilomide, bortezomib and 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide. While all four agents significantly inhibited the growth of the plasma cells, none inhibited the stem cells."
I agree with Margaret in saying that nothing definitive can come from this study but I will offer two thoughts-
1) Chemosesitivity testing or some sort of gene testing may help determine how someone's mm will react to chemo- if I had know what chemo to take or not when I was first dx I would have spared myself many side effects and possibly remained in remission longer.
2) Does learning about mm stem cells effect one's decision to have a peripheral blood stem cell transplant or not?  David
http://www.hopkinskimmelc...
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