Hematology
Multiple myeloma (a progressive hematologic “blood� disease) is a cancer of the plasma cell, an important part of the immune system that produces antibodies to help fight infection and disease. The disease is characterized by an excessive number of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow and the overproduction of intact monoclonal antibodies. Hypercalcemia (high blood calcium), anemia (low red blood cell levels), renal damage, increased susceptibility to bacterial infection, and impaired production of normal antibodies are common clinical manifestations of multiple myeloma. Approximately 100 000 people worldwide are living with the disease, and there are an estimated 50 000 new cases diagnosed each year.
The choice of initial therapy is dependent on whether a patient is a candidate for high-dose chemotherapy and/or stem cell transplant. For non-transplant candidates, the historical treatment usually consisted of melphalan and prednisone. For transplant candidates, a regimen of Thalomid (produced by Celgene) and dexamethasone was standard.
With the introduction of novel agents such as Takeda’s Velcade and Celgene’s Revlimid in the past three years, tremendous progress has been made in this field, improving response and survival rates while decreasing the side effects of the drugs.
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
