Myeloma- Collagen – Skin, Heart-

Hi Linda-

Congrats on managing your MM for the past 15 years. Research does show that curcumin is cytotoxic to monoclonal proteins, and can enhance the efficacy of certain chemo regimens aka it is integrative.

Further, yes, several formulas/brands of curcumin are more bioavailable than others. Regular curcumin is difficult for the body to absorb. The article and graphic linked below (see the triangle- tiny type) linked below explain the issue and list several formulas that are enhanced.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.2c07326

David Emerson

Hi Linda-

First and foremost Linda, you are doing well to have managed your MM for this long. Especially since you were probably mis-diagnosed before your MM was found. MM is notoriously difficult to identify.

Secondly, research shows that repeated high dose steroids like dexamethasone increases your blood sugar and therefore increases the risk of
type 2 diabetes. I encourage you to either lower the dose of dex. or discontinue it altogether.

As for your back, have you discussed kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty with your Dr.? My understanding is that the only ways to stabilize back pain caused by compression fractures is kyphoplasty or physical therapy to strengthen the muscles.

Re mushrooms and MM, I don’t know if they are game changers but I think the mushroom therapy you are thinking of is

https://peoplebeatingcancer.org/multiple-myeloma-therapy-medical-mushrooms/

David Emerson

Hi MB-

Thanks for asking about MM and collagen. After I read your question earlier, I did some digging around the internet for any info, studies, research, etc. about MM and collagen. The only study I found is linked below.

While the study is difficult to read, what I take from it is that that bone health does suffer in MM patients. We all know this. MM reduces collagen as well as calcium, etc. The study does say that collagen increases in a percentage of MM patients before they relapse. However, I can find no language that points to “collagen helps myeloma cells to grow.”

I will say that I work to keep my bones strong and I will continue to take collagen.

Clinical utility of C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen in multiple myeloma

“Myeloma bone disease (MBD) is a major cause of morbidity in multiple myeloma (MM). We investigated bone turnover markers (BTM) as relapse predictors and biomarkers for monitoring MBD. We measured C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-1), and Procollagen type 1 N Propeptide (P1NP) in 86 MM patients and 26 controls. CTX-1 was higher in newly diagnosed patients compared to control, remission and relapse (P < 0·05), and decreased following treatment.

In the setting of relapse, a CTX-1 rise greater than the calculated least significant change (LSC) was observed in 26% of patients 3-6 months prior to relapse (P = 0·007), and in 60·8% up to 3 months before relapse (P = 0·015).

Statistically significant changes in CTX-1 levels were also observed in patients who were with and without bisphosphonate therapy at the time of relapse. In patients with normal renal function, mean CTX-1 level was highest in the newly diagnosed group (0·771 ± 0·400 μg/l), and lowest in the remission group (0·099 ± 0·070 μg/l) (P < 0·0001). P1NP levels were not statistically different across the patient groups. We conclude that CTX-1, measured on an automated hospital laboratory platform, has a role in routine treatment monitoring and predicting relapse of MBD, even in patients on bisphosphonates.

HI Kathy-

Your questions pushed me to research and write another blog post about collagen citing studies, my brand, my reasoning etc. I am certainly interested in your thinking about the research, and I too, knew litte about collagen.

Collagen-Skin, Muscle, Joint, Brain and Heart Health

Thanks

David Emerson