The Multiple Myeloma
Research Consortium (MMRC) today announced its participation in a Phase II
study to determine the efficacy of LBH589 for the treatment of patients
with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. LBH589 is an orally
administered deacetylase inhibitor developed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
The MMRC is the only research model of its kind bringing together 13
leading academic institutions to accelerate the development of novel and
combination treatments for multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer of the
plasma cell. In addition to its most recent partnership with Novartis, the
MMRC is facilitating several other clinical trials, including a Phase I
study of NPI- 0052, a proteasome inhibitor, in collaboration with Nereus
Pharmaceuticals, and a Phase I study of perifosine, lenalidomide
(REVLIMID(R)), and dexamethasone in collaboration with Keryx
Biopharmaceuticals.
“Deacetylase inhibitors may represent a new treatment options for
cancer patients and the MMRC is proud to work with Novartis to advance this
important clinical program,” said Kathy Giusti, Founder and Chief Executive
Officer of the MMRC, as well as a myeloma patient. “This trial and the
others the MMRC is facilitating demonstrate the importance of novel
collaborations in bringing new treatments to patients.”
Named ALPHA-MM, this trial is a single arm, open label, multi-center
global study that will enroll 144 patients in the United States, Canada,
and Europe. MMRC Member Institutions that will enroll patients are
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Emory
University, Hackensack University Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, H. Lee
Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, and Washington University.
This trial is open to patients with relapsed or refractory multiple
myeloma who have received at least two lines of therapy, and whose disease
progressed on their most recent therapy. Prior therapy must have included
bortezomib (VELCADE(R)) or lenalidomide.
LBH589 is part of a promising class of drugs called deacetylase
inhibitors or HDAC inhibitors, which may play an important role in helping
to slow or stop the growth of multiple myeloma cells. Preclinical
laboratory data suggests that LBH589 has significant activity against
multiple myeloma cells, including those that are resistant to conventional
therapies.
About the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC)
The Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC) is a 509(a)3 non-profit
organization that integrates leading academic institutions to accelerate
drug development in multiple myeloma. It is led from MMRC offices in
Norwalk, Conn., and comprises 13 member institutions: City of Hope,
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute,
the Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, H. Lee Moffitt
Cancer Center & Research Institute, Mayo Clinic, Ohio State University,
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, St. Vincent’s Comprehensive Cancer Center of
Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers of New York, University Health
Network (Princess Margaret Hospital), University of Chicago, University of
Michigan, and Washington University.
The MMRC was founded in 2004 by Kathy Giusti, a myeloma patient, and
with the help of the scientific community. The MMRC is a sister
organization to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), the
world’s leading funder of multiple myeloma research. The MMRC is widely
recognized as an optimal research model to rapidly address critical
challenges in drug development and to explore opportunities in the today’s
most promising research areas — genomics, compound validation, and
clinical trials. The MMRC is the only consortium to join academic
institutions through membership agreements, customized IT systems, and an
integrated tissue bank. For more information, please visit
themmrc.
The Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium
themmrc