Wednesday, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) hosted a private conference call.
The call featured Dr. Brian G.M. Durie, of Cedar Sinai Cancer Center, and Dr. Ken Anderson, of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, who offered their personal views on the issue of Second Primary Cancers in the ongoing treatment of multiple myeloma in a private conference call to Support Group Leaders. They added context and commentary to the public statements that have been made on the issue.
Discussions from theconference call were confidential. Here is a direct link to the IMF’s website:
http://www.myeloma.org/
Here is a link to Frequently Asked Questions, provided by the IMF:
http://myeloma.org/ArticlePage.action?articleId=3245
Here is a link to the official statement about Revlimid and secondary cancers from the IMF:
http://myeloma.org/ArticlePage.action?tabId=0&menuId=0&articleId=3247&aTab=-1
The IMF is being very careful about commenting about how Revlimid may cause secondary cancers when used post-transplant for long term maintenance therapy. This us understandable. Revlimid patients are
beginning to get upset and worried about this. Celgene’s stock price can move down with just a hint of bad news issued from an official source like the IMF.
I believe this will all sort itself out soon. It is important that people don’t jump to conclusions before the myeloma experts have a chance to review all of the facts.
But I have another concern about all of this: What about long term Revlimid users who have not undergone a stem cell transplant? Are they also possibly at risk? Let’s hope the International Myeloma Working Group is looking into this as well.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat
