Changing the Cancer Conversation
As chronic diseases go, cancer is a behemoth...
Ruben Niesvizky, M.D.
Delta's Sky Magazine recently featured an in-depth article on cancer research that featured Myeloma Center director Ruben Niesvizky, M.D.
"With myeloma we don't have the luxury of targeting one gene like with other cancers. We can't yet do precision medicine, so that's a real challenge. However, we can target myeloma cells by using antibodies, or interfering with their metabolic pathways, to help the immune system fight the cancer. Using the proper combination of agents, we're optimistic we can eradicate the disease entirely."
Niesvizky explained how agents like Kyprolis (carfilzomib), Velcde (bortezomib) and Ninlaro (ixazomin) work, by interefering with the protein destruction required for myeloma cells to grow. Like a plug in a garbage disposal, proteasome inhibitors prevent the destruction of myeloma cells' unwanted proteins.
"Without that garbage disposal, the myeloma cells become saturated with unwanted proteins, go into metabolic paralysis, and die," he said.
He also commented on antibodies which can bind to a target on the myeloma cell that signals the patient's immune cells to attack and eliminate the diseased cells.
"Each of these agents have borderline activity against multiple myeloma by themselves. When combined with other therapeutics, we're seeing overall responses of more than 90 percent," Niesvizky said. "The responses are so deep and durable that they're becoming the rule rather than the exception."