News and Publications

Karen W. Lee, Pharm.D., and Denise DeBellis, Pharm.D. Publish Review of Treatment Approaches for Multiple Myeloma

July 2009 — Recent improvements in the treatment of multiple myeloma have highlighted the importance of developing cost-effective strategies for managing this condition. UMass Medical School pharmacists Karen Lee and Denise DeBellis published a review of new multiple myeloma treatment methods in the July issue of Formulary. The full article is available in Formulary online.

Multiple myeloma, which is most common among the elderly, is expensive to manage due to the high cost of drugs used in the initial and relapse stages, as well as the cost of stem cell transplants and other support therapy. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the International Myeloma Workgroup provide clinical guidelines for new treatments and standards for care. In their article, Drs. Lee and DeBellis review the place in therapy of existing, newly approved, and pipeline agents.

Formulary. 2009;44:204–213.