Velcade (Bortezomib)
Two open-label, phase III trials established the efficacy of bortezomib (with or without dexamethasone) administered in a 21-day cycle.
Jodi is on the 21 day cycle
Laboratory studies and clinical trials are investigating whether it might be possible to further increase the anticancer potency of bortezomib by combining it with novel types of other pharmacologic agents. For example, In laboratory studies, it was found that bortezomib killed multiple myeloma cells more efficiently
Revlimid (Lenalidomide)
Lenalidomide has been used to successfully treat both inflammatory disorders and cancers in the past 10 years. There are multiple mechanisms of action, lenalidomide has three main activities: direct anti-tumor effect, inhibition of the microenvironment support for tumor cells, and immunomodulatory role. Lenalidomide induces tumor cell apoptosis (cell suicide) directly and indirectly by inhibition of bone marrow stromal cell support, by anti-angiogenic and anti-osteoclastogenic effects, and by immunomodulatory activity. Lenalidomide has a broad range of activities that can be exploited to treat many hematologic and solid cancers.
Treatment of multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a rare cancer of the blood, characterized by accumulation of a plasma cell clone in the bone marrow. Lenalidomide is one of the novel drug agents used to treat multiple myeloma. It is a small molecular analog of thalidomide that was originally found based on its ability to effectively inhibit tumor necrosis factor production. Lenalidomide is 50,000 times more potent than thalidomide in inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and has less severe adverse drug reactions. A phase III clinical study, found that lenalidomide plus dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma was superior to the old treatment of multiple myeloma consisting of high-dose dexamethasone alone.
Dexamethasone
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are given Dexamethasone to counteract certain side-effects of their antitumor treatment.
Dexamethasone is also used as a direct chemotherapeutic agent in certain hematological malignancies, especially in the treatment of multiple myeloma, in which dexamethasone is given alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs, including most commonly with thalidomide (thal-dex), lenalidomide, bortezomib (Velcade; Vel-dex),[3] or a combination of Adriamycin (doxorubicin) and vincristine (VAD).
Jodi is on the most current cutting edge aggressive treatment regimen for Multiple Myeloma:
Velcade (Bortezomib), Revlimid (Lenalidomide), and Dexamethasone
This is her chemotherapy. In addition as mentioned in other posts she is also in a study involving a medication called Zoledronate for the treatment of bone breakdown as a result of her Multuple Myeloma. This drug does not treat the caner but treats the weakened bones.
