Title of Project:
A Pilot Study Using Mini-doses of Thalidomide and Dexamethasone Maintenance Therapy for Multiple Myeloma Patients Following Induction with Chemotherapy of ASCT

Principal Investigator: Dr. Ann Traynor
Director of Stem Cell Transplantation for Autoimmune Diseases
University of Massachusetts Medical Center

Supported by Jim and Chris Holden

Research supported in the early 2000’s by Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships (Dr. Vincent Rajkumar-Mayo Clinic) led to the widespread use of the drugs Thalidomide and Dexamethasone as the first effective front line treatments for the blood bone cancer multiple myeloma. Over the last 5 years, thousands of patients have been successfully treated with these drugs, but their side effects are significant, including blood clots in the legs, memory loss, pain and numbness in the extremities, and fatigue. This current research is looking at whether much lower doses of these two drugs can be used to maintain myeloma patients in remission without these significant side effects.