Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research Presents NEW DATA at the American Society of Hematology Meeting 2011

Los Angeles (I-Newswire) November 23, 2011 - Finding a cure for the second most common type of blood cancer in the world isn’t an easy task, but the research staff at IMBCR in Los Angeles, California continues its work to create new drugs and treatments for patients with multiple myeloma and bone cancer. This December, the researchers at IMBCR will present cutting-edge research on combination therapies and receptors specific to these B-cell cancers with the goal of creating new medications for myeloma patients worldwide.

What does this mean in terms of new treatments? Medical and Scientific Director of IMBCR, James R. Berenson, M. D. is hopeful, “What we’re doing in the lab is considered “pre-clinical”, meaning we’re studying the biology of these cancers, identifying new potential ways to target myeloma and bone cancer, and evaluating the effectiveness and toxicity of novel drugs alone and in combination to create therapies that can be tested in clinical trials. Our ability to continue to use our models of human myeloma to figure out how to optimize the use of new drugs alone and in combination therapies such as the proteasome inhibitor CEP 18770 is leading to clinical trials that will hopefully increase the therapeutic options for patients with myeloma. What’s most exciting is our TRAF6 and FcγRIIb signaling studies in which we have identified two new targets to treat both myeloma directly and its most important clinical problem which is bone-related problems. The results of these studies are likely to further our understanding of the role of these proteins in myeloma and should lead to the development of novel therapies to help our patients with myeloma."

IMBCR will present poster information on:

Efficacy and Tolerability of CEP-18770 in Combination with Dexamethasone and Lenalidomide Using a SCID-hu Model of Multiple Myeloma.

As well as two studies in collaboration with the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA:

1. TRAF6 Dominant Negative Peptides Block Intracellular Signaling Resulting in Anti-Myeloma and Anti-Bone Resorptive Effects in Multiple Myeloma
2. Study of Fc gamma receptor IIb (FcγRIIb) and Immunoreceptor Tyrosine-based Inhibitory Motif (ITIM) Signaling in Multiple Myeloma.

IMBCR is a non-profit organization funded by donations and research grants. To learn how you can support IMBCR’s research efforts, please visit our website: www.imbcr.org. Follow Dr. Berenson on Facebook, www.facebook.com/myelomadoc and Twitter @myelomadoc.

About Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research:
The Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research is a non-profit organization headquartered in Los Angeles, California. IMBCR is the only independent cancer research institute working to find improved treatment, and ultimately a cure for multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood cells that reside in the bone marrow.

Company Contact Information
Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research
Cheryl A. Cross
9201 Sunset Blvd.,
Suite 300
90069
Phone : 310-406-1035