Multiple myeloma can be effectively treated by using a combination of lenalidomide and dexamethasone, according to a study that involved 353 patients with myeloma and conducted at 44 centers in the United States and Canada.

It was revealed during the study that pairing a new thalidomide derivative with a steroid can slow down the progression of multiple myeloma besides prolonging the lives of patients who have relapsed from earlier treatments.

From News-Medical.Net:

“These trials highlight how large-scale cooperation in a team effort by myeloma investigators can quickly confirm benefits and introduce new active agents for patients with this disease,” Weber says. “We also owe a debt to the willing patients who participated in this study.”

Multiple myeloma is caused by formation of abnormal plasma cells, a type of white blood cell, in the bone marrow. These cells multiply rapidly, crowding out normal red and white blood cells and platelets. Tumors starting in the bone marrow may cause pain, and weaken bones predisposing them to fracture. In the United States about 20,000 people are diagnosed with multiple myeloma annually, and about 11,000 succumb to the disease each year.

Thalidomide, a breakthrough drug for multiple myeloma, is produced and marketed by Celgene Corporation as Thalomid(r). The company chemically altered thalidomide to make lenalidomide, known commercially as Revlimid(r), in hopes of reducing side effects and improving efficacy against the disease. The drugs attack both the malignant cells and the cellular environment that nurtures them.

Lead author Donna Weber, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, said that the combination seems to be effective as the disease may become immune to one therapy.

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The use of steroid medications for the purpose of inhibiting hospitalization or improving respiratory symptoms caused by bronchiolitis, a common viral lower respiratory infection in infants, is of no use.

This finding was revealed in a study published in an issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

From News-Medical.Net:

The study compared hospitalization rates for 600 children between the ages of 2 months and 12 months who visited emergency rooms with moderate-to-severe bronchiolitis. Patients were treated with either a dose of dexamethasone (a glucocorticoid form of steroid medication) or a placebo and evaluated after one hour, and again at four hours. The hospital admission rate for both groups was identical at nearly 40 percent. Both groups improved during treatment, but the placebo group did as well as the group treated with active medication. The study was conducted in the emergency departments at 20 hospitals across the United States between November and April during a three-year period. Bronchiolitis is most common during the winter months.

“We learned that a commonly used treatment doesn’t work,” said Howard M. Corneli, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah and the principal investigator on the study. “Now that we’ve demonstrated glucocorticoids aren’t effective in treating bronchiolitis, we can focus our efforts on finding better treatments and better preventive strategies.”

It was remarked by Nathan Kuppermann, M.D., a professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics at the University of California, Davis, chair of the PECARN network’s steering committee, and the senior investigator of the study, that the study truly highlights the power of a research network such as PECARN to find amicable answers to difficult-to-answer questions.

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The use of steroids for treating preemies between 28-32 weeks of age, does not lead to any harm. This finding was disclosed in an issue of Pediatrics and suggested that brains of babies remain virtually unaffected by steroid administration, a fact that nullifies the past belief that repeated courses of steroids in the womb lead to brain damage.

From News-Medical.Net:

“The consensus in recent years has been to no longer give women in preterm labor more than one course of steroids because of possible adverse effects, but it means more babies are born needing ventilation,” said Sanjiv Amin, M.D., assistant professor of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center and author of the study. “These findings may give us back a tool to help give these fragile babies a better chance of survival.”

Before concerns arose in 2000 about safety of multiple courses of steroids, many mothers in on-and-off preterm labor received several rounds before delivering. Now, when mothers go into preterm labor, obstetricians will often administer only a single course of steroids to help strengthen the baby’s lungs upon birth. But if the birth is successfully held off for more than seven days, the mother does not receive another course of medication and the baby’s lungs may not be protected.

It is important to note that many studies in the past have suggested that there are complications from multiple courses of dexamethasone, a steroid prepared with sulfur. This was the reason why doctors do not use dexamethasone anymore and have switched to sulfur-free steroids such as betamethasone.

This finding is expected to offer crucial insights to members of the medical fraternity besides offering relief to expecting mothers.

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The administration of steroid medications may not be useful when it comes to preventing hospitalization or improving respiratory symptoms for treating young children suffering with bronchiolitis, a common viral lower respiratory infection in infants.

The findings by Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) are considered to offer invaluable insights on how to move ahead for treating one of the most common causes of infant hospitalization.

From News-Medical.Net:

The study compared hospitalization rates for 600 children between the ages of 2 months and 12 months who visited emergency rooms with moderate-to-severe bronchiolitis. Patients were treated with either a dose of dexamethasone (a glucocorticoid form of steroid medication) or a placebo and evaluated after one hour, and again at four hours. The hospital admission rate for both groups was identical at nearly 40 percent. Both groups improved during treatment, but the placebo group did as well as the group treated with active medication. The study was conducted in the emergency departments at 20 hospitals across the United States between November and April during a three-year period. Bronchiolitis is most common during the winter months.

“We learned that a commonly used treatment doesn’t work,” said Howard M. Corneli, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah and the principal investigator on the study. “Now that we’ve demonstrated glucocorticoids aren’t effective in treating bronchiolitis, we can focus our efforts on finding better treatments and better preventive strategies.”

Nathan Kuppermann, M.D., a professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics at the University of California, Davis, chair of the PECARN network’s steering committee, and the senior investigator of the study, remarked that this study suggested the effectiveness of a research network such as PECARN for resolving difficult-to-answer questions.

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Lisa Ray, an Indian-origin actress who had worked in many successful Bollywood and Hollywood movies, has recently been diagnosed with cancer. It was recently revealed by her in the blog (lisaraniray.wordpress.com) that she is suffering from multiple myeloma but expect to beat the ailment.

She said, “I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma on June 23rd. Started my first cycle of treatment July 2nd. Not long ago.”

Lisa also said that her skin is getting stretched when asked about steroids and life in the wetsuit.

From Lisaraniray.wordpress.com:

In the industry I’m in, you could say, its motive alone that gives character to your acting.

So today with Velcade and, Revlimid and other promising new treatments in the pipeline our survival rates are improving. But only with an ever expanding toolbox of treatments and awareness can this Cancer be beat. So I’m going to do everything I can to wrench the spotlight onto Myeloma and Cancer Awareness.

I believe it can be cured.

That’s the Dirty Realist in me.

So back to the ‘Yellow’ Diaries. And more on ‘Yellow’ and charging your yellow later…

On Steroids: you are HUNGRY ALL THE TIME.

When Dr. Ahmed Galal, my Warrior-Hematologist at Princess Margaret Hospital gave me my first cycle of meds, he capped his recommendation off with a charming gesture that meant: Beware of sweets.

Well. Sweet things aren’t the only temptation.

Every cycle of treatment, I’m on Dexamethasone for four days on, then four days off.

Ever since this news broke down, her fans have been praying for an early recovery so that they can see the most of this actress.

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According to a study published in the July 26 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, the use of steroid medications is not effective for preventing hospitalization or improving respiratory symptoms when it comes to treating bronchiolitis, a common viral lower respiratory infection in infants.

These findings by the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) are considered to provide qualified guidance for treating one of the most common causes of infant hospitalization.

From News-Medical.Net:

The study compared hospitalization rates for 600 children between the ages of 2 months and 12 months who visited emergency rooms with moderate-to-severe bronchiolitis. Patients were treated with either a dose of dexamethasone (a glucocorticoid form of steroid medication) or a placebo and evaluated after one hour, and again at four hours. The hospital admission rate for both groups was identical at nearly 40 percent. Both groups improved during treatment, but the placebo group did as well as the group treated with active medication. The study was conducted in the emergency departments at 20 hospitals across the United States between November and April during a three-year period. Bronchiolitis is most common during the winter months.

“We learned that a commonly used treatment doesn’t work,” said Howard M. Corneli, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah and the principal investigator on the study. “Now that we’ve demonstrated glucocorticoids aren’t effective in treating bronchiolitis, we can focus our efforts on finding better treatments and better preventive strategies.”

Nathan Kuppermann, M.D., a professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics at the University of California, Davis, chair of the PECARN network’s steering committee, and the senior investigator of the study, said that the study highlights the power of a research network such as PECARN for resolving difficult-to-answer questions.

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According to findings of a study in an issue of Pediatrics, preemies between 28-32 weeks of age are not harmed by a treatment option that is no longer used to help in maturing lungs. The concerned study revealed that babies’ brains remain virtually unaffected; a fact that overrules the previously believed fact that repeated courses of steroids in the womb may lead to brain damage.

From News-Medical.Net:

“The consensus in recent years has been to no longer give women in preterm labor more than one course of steroids because of possible adverse effects, but it means more babies are born needing ventilation,” said Sanjiv Amin, M.D., assistant professor of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center and author of the study. “These findings may give us back a tool to help give these fragile babies a better chance of survival.”

Before concerns arose in 2000 about safety of multiple courses of steroids, many mothers in on-and-off preterm labor received several rounds before delivering. Now, when mothers go into preterm labor, obstetricians will often administer only a single course of steroids to help strengthen the baby’s lungs upon birth. But if the birth is successfully held off for more than seven days, the mother does not receive another course of medication and the baby’s lungs may not be protected.

It is important to note that many studies in the past have suggested that there are complications from multiple courses of dexamethasone, a steroid prepared with sulfur. This was the reason why doctors do not use dexamethasone anymore and have switched to sulfur-free steroids such as betamethasone.

It is believed that this study would provide new insights to further clinic studies in the same regard.

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Miguel Angel Hoyos, the 28-year-old Bolivian defender tested positive for the steroid dexamethasone after a World Cup qualifier in June.

Bolivian Football Federation spokesperson Javier Silva explained that the player was given the steroid dexamethasone after a head injury following a collision with Bolivia midfielder Ignacio Garcia. Hoyos later complained of dizziness and an urge to vomit.

Silva added that the South American Confederation (CSF) would decide whether Hoyos would be sanctioned or not.

This Wednesday, the matter was laid to rest as the South American confederation finally cleared Hoyos of doping.

Hoyos told reporters that he was confident that he did not take any drugs or substance to enhance his performance.

He hoped that the decision would provide clearance of his name, that the medication caused him to test positive in doping.

Two qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup remain next month. However, Bolivia lost all chances of reaching the 2010 World Cup Finals as they lost against Venezuela last June 6, 2009 with a score of 1-0.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be held in South Africa between June 11, 2010 and July 11, 2010. This will be the first time that the tournament will be hosted by an African nation.

From USA Today:

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Defender Miguel Angel Hoyos was cleared of a doping charge by the Bolivian Football Federation on Wednesday.

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If you are a diabetic and there is a need for you to undergo steroid therapy, your doctor should advise you on adjusting your diabetes therapy.

Steroids, particularly glucocorticoids can affect the glucose level in a person’s bloodstream. Glucocorticoids include hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone and betamethasone.

Since insulin is the only hormone that could overcome this effect, increase in insulin doses may be needed. The diabetic may also need to plan his meals or control his food intake since steroid can increase hunger.

Steroids can also make a non-diabetic increase their blood sugar levels. Steroids can make the liver produce sugar from substances such as proteins and fats. Steroids can also inhibit insulin release from the pancreas and its action in our body tissues.

The type of steroids and the form of administration can have various effects on sugar levels. Generally, inhaled and topical steroids have less effect on blood sugar levels compared to other types and routes of delivery.

Dosages also affect sugar levels. If steroids are given in low doses, it may have no effect on sugar levels, while moderate to higher doses can increase sugar levels significantly.

Fortunately, this effect is reversible. Once steroid therapy is stopped, blood sugar levels usually returns to normal.

From Caller:

CORPUS CHRISTI — The word steroids has become synonymous with sports and medicine. But these two associations could not be more different. The family of anabolic steroids abused by athletes is quite different than the family of glucocorticoid steroids that patients get.

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Actress Lisa Ray, who has worked in many Indian and Hollywood movies, has been diagnosed with cancer. She recently revealed in her blog (lisaraniray.wordpress.com) that she is learning to face this disturbing fact and is quite hopeful of beating the ailment.

She says, “I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma on June 23rd. Started my first cycle of treatment July 2nd. Not long ago.”

When asked about her steroids and life in the wetsuit, Lisa remarked that she feels her skin getting stretched and move in ways that she has not felt before.

From Lisaraniray.wordpress.com:

In the industry I’m in, you could say, its motive alone that gives character to your acting.

So today with Velcade, Revlimid and other promising new treatments in the pipeline our survival rates are improving. But only with an ever expanding toolbox of treatments and awareness can this Cancer be beat. So I’m going to do everything I can to wrench the spotlight onto Myeloma and Cancer Awareness.

I believe it can be cured.

That’s the Dirty Realist in me.

So back to the ‘Yellow’ Diaries. And more on ‘Yellow’ and charging your yellow later…

On Steroids: you are HUNGRY ALL THE TIME.

When Dr. Ahmed Galal, my Warrior-Hematologist at Princess Margaret Hospital gave me my first cycle of meds, he capped his recommendation off with a charming gesture that meant: Beware of sweets.

Well. Sweet things aren’t the only temptation.

Every cycle of treatment, I’m on Dexamethasone for four days on, then four days off.

All her fans have been seen praying to the almighty for an early recovery for this actress of substance.

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