Multiple Myeloma patients try to juggle the damage caused by MM with the damage caused by toxicity. Your numbers (MM) can increase (slightly) while still not damaging any organs
Dear David- I was originally diagnosed with multiple myeloma, IgG Kappa, in November of 2013. I underwent RVd (Revlimid, Velcade, Dexamethasone) induction therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in April of 2014.
I responded well to my induction therapy and reached complete remission and my ASCT also went well. My monoclonal protein (M-spike) is and has been 0 since my ASCT. I am currently on low-dose maintenance Revlimid ( I take 5 mg Rev. 21/28 days). I feel good and am doing well.
Here is my concern. My kappa number just last month went from 17-19 up to 20.5. Curcumin seems to bring it down. Lately, my gamma number has risen, but nothing is out of normal range.
I eat whey protein to supplement, raw spinach, avocado oil, walnut oil, flaxseed oil with lignin, V8, and try to do some exercise. What else would you advise?
I had no bone lesions and had a very quick response to Revlimid, Velcade, dexamethasone and Zometa. What is the best brand of curcumin? Thanks for any advice
Great to read that your ASCT went well and that you feel good. Several things. I will cut and paste your comments in order to address each…
“I take 5 mg, Revlimid.” Studies have shown that low-dose maintenance Revlimid does produce longer remissions (Progression-free survival) and may or may not increase overall survival.
“1-6 capsule (up to 2.5 g of curcumin a day.” Numerous studies document both curcumin’s anti-MM activity as well as it’s synergy with Revlimid.
“Went from 17-19 up to 20.5.” An increase of 1.5-3.5 is pretty small- I believe it is important to see a trend of any increase rather than a single test.
“Lately my gamma number has risen, but nothing is out of normal range.” Good.
” I eat whey protein…” Your nutrition, supplementation, lifestyle, etc. all good.
“I had no bone lesions and I had a very quick response to Revlimid, Velcade, dexamethasone, and Zometa. Nearly got rid of MM in first 3 months, successful CR. No relapse. Monoclonal detection = 0.” All positive prognostic indicators. Meaning you are doing well and your future looks pretty good.
“What else would you advise?” Make sure that your brand of curcumin is a formula that is bioavailable. I take Life Extension SuperBio Curcumin. But Meriva, Dr. Best, and others have been shown to be much more absorbable than conventional curcumin.
Keep in mind that even if your numbers increase (slightly) you are a long way from a full relapse. In other words, we MMs try to juggle the damage caused by MM with the damage caused by toxicity. Your numbers (MM) can increase (slightly) while still not damaging any organs.
I understand I sound self-serving when I discuss the Multiple Myeloma Cancer Coaching program but the dozens of studies and therapies are tailor-made for a MMer in your situation.
To learn more about Stringent or Complete Response click now
Let me know if you have any questions.
David Emerson
- MM Survivor
- MM Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Recommended Reading:
“Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a yellow pigment in turmeric, has been shown to inhibit the activation of NF-κB, a transcription factor closely linked to chemoresistance in multiple myeloma (MM) cells.
Whether curcumin can overcome chemoresistance and enhance the activity of thalidomide and bortezomib, used to treat patients with MM, was investigated in vitro and in xenograft model in nude mice.
Our results show that curcumin inhibited the proliferation of human MM cells regardless of their sensitivity to dexamethasone, doxorubicin, or melphalan.
Curcumin also potentiated the apoptotic effects of thalidomide and bortezomib by downregulating the constitutive activation of NF-κB and Akt; and this correlated with the suppression of NF-κB-regulated gene products, including cyclin D1, Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, TRAF1, cIAP-1, XIAP, survivin, and VEGF.
Furthermore, in a nude mice model, we found that curcumin potentiated the antitumor effects of bortezomib (P < 0.001, vehicle vs. bortezomib plus curcumin; P < 0.001, bortezomib vs. bortezomib plus curcumin), and this correlated with suppression of Ki-67 (P < 0.001 vs. control), CD31 (P < 0.001 vs. vehicle), and VEGF (P < 0.001 vs. vehicle) expression. Collectively, our results suggest that curcumin overcomes chemoresistance and sensitizes MM cells to thalidomide and bortezomib by downregulating NF-κB and NF-κB-regulated gene products…”
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