Combination of bortezomib and panobinostat shows promise against advanced multiple myeloma

In co\continuation of  my update on Bortezomib...

A phase 2 clinical trial has shown that pairing bortezomib with an experimental drug, panobinostat: Panobinostat is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, a type of drug that blocks key processes involved in gene expression and protein degradation. Panobinostat clogs up a protein disposal mechanism in myeloma cells so that harmful byproducts accumulate and eventually cause programmed cell death.(see below structure), may be a promising new treatment for such patients, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers say.

 The PANORAMA 2 trial included 53 patients with relapsed multiple myeloma who had undergone multiple rounds of prior treatment and, in more than half, also stem cell transplant. The researchers reported on 44 patients receiving the panobinostat-bortezomib-dexamethasone combination.

Results showed that in the first phase of the treatment, 9 of the patients had at least a partial response of their disease, and 2 of the 9 saw their myeloma almost disappear, a so-called near complete response. Another 7 patients experienced minimal response, which is also associated with clinical benefit. 

More : http://ash.confex.com/ash/2011/webprogram/Paper41145.html