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Welcome to Issue 3 of Freelite InSite. In this issue you will find a list of the key Myeloma meetings with abstract deadlines, where still open. You will also see a discussion of how Freelite is being used in assessing patient prognosis. If you have not already registered for Biennial 2008 in Bath please see the link below and register now as places are limited. Kind regards |
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2008 Issue 3 |
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In recent months there have been 2 publications of note 1. The evolving use of serum free light chain assays in haematology G. Pratt British Journal of Haematology 2008, 141 (4), 413-422 This comprehensive review by Dr Guy Pratt discusses the important role of serum free light chain (FLC) assays and explains how they have been an advance in the diagnosis and monitoring of Light Chain Multiple Myeloma (LCMM), AL amyloidosis, Non-Secretory Multiple Myeloma (NSMM) and oligo-secretory myeloma. Download a complete review of this publication. 2. Serum Free Light Chain Assays – Their Role in Multiple Myeloma R. Kyle European Haematology Review 2007 / US Hematology 2007 www.touchbriefings.com Robert Kyle, Mayo Clinic, reviews the role of serum FLC assays in diagnosis and monitoring of Multiple Myeloma. The article highlights the diagnostic pitfalls with traditional electrophoretic methods and explains how the serum FLC assays can provide more information due to the increased sensitivity and quantitative nature of the assay. Order a copy of this article using code MKG409. |
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Publication review – keep up to date with recent publications |
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British Society for Haematology 48th Annual Scientific Meeting incorporating the 6th Bi-Annual I-BFM Leukaemia Symposium 7-11 April 2008, Glasgow, UK BSH was attended by over 1000 haematologists from an International audience. A number of interesting discussions about how and when to use Freelite were held at our exhibition stand. It was interesting to see that since last year there has been an increase in people using Freelite for baselining patients and for MGUS risk stratification to help with the overall management of patients. Freelite is no longer seen as a tool solely for monitoring. 3 posters, submitted by Binding Site researchers, were accepted and generated good discussion. Click here to view these posters. Next years meeting will be held in Brighton, UK, 27-29 April 2009 |
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Exhibitions and Meetings - Catching up and planning ahead |
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According to a recent survey conducted by Myeloma UK, awareness of myeloma throughout the UK public is very low. When questioned, a staggering 97% of people could not correctly identify the disease and over a third of those interviewed thought, wrongly, that myeloma was a skin cancer. Participate in Myeloma Awareness Week – 21-28 June 2008 Get involved in the 2008 Myeloma Awareness Week and make a big difference. From doing a ‘Mile for Myeloma’, to wearing something orange, you can do your bit to raise awareness and funds for myeloma. Visit the awareness week pages on the Myeloma UK website for more information and to order your free Awareness Week Pack now. |
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UK Myeloma Awareness Week |
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If you have a friend or colleague who you feel would benefit from receiving this newsletter then please forward this to them. Received this from a colleague? We need your permission to send you future issues - please Click here to register. |
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Refer a friend/colleague |
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The Binding Site Ltd |
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Ţ Hevylite™ - new assay for heavy chain measurement and an explanation of the value of the heavy chain ratio. |
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What’s in Issue 4 |
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At the recent British Society of Haematology meeting in Glasgow a poster was presented showing data from a study of 66 Multiple Myeloma patients (36 IgA and 30 IgG Multiple Myeloma patients). The aim of the study was to compare the frequency of light chain escape between patients with IgG and IgA Multiple Myeloma. Intensive versus non-intensive chemotherapy was also compared. Although the numbers studied were fairly small, the frequency of light chain escape was seen to be higher in IgA patients than IgG patients. This preliminary data supports the use of Freelite for monitoring patients with Intact Immunoglobulin Multiple Myeloma. Click here to access the poster. |
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Evidence supports FLC for monitoring Intact Immunoglobulins |
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Please join us at this conference where the latest information on both heavy and light chain analysis for applications in monoclonal gammopathy and renal disease will be discussed. Ground breaking data will be presented on a new assay for heavy chain measurement and the value of the heavy chain ratio explained. Additionally data from the Multicentre, Phase III, Randomised control trial on extended haemodialysis with the Gambro protein-leaking HCO1100 dialyser will be highlighted. We hope to see you there. Click for more information and to register www.biennial2008.org |
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Biennial 2008 18-19 September, Bath, UK |
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Some recent literature has highlighted the potential of serum FLC concentrations at baseline to provide prognostic information for Multiple Myeloma patients. Serum FLCs have previously been shown to provide important prognostic information in Smouldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM), AL amyloidosis and solitary plasmacytoma of the bone. The serum FLC ratio can also be used in the risk stratification of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to enable identification of high risk patients. Click here to view a comprehensive summary (MKG416.E) of the recent developments with serum FLCs as prognostic indicators. |
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Assessing patient prognosis |
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In March a series of 1 day seminars were held in 4 different cities, attended by approximately 200 delegates from the UK and Ireland. Presentations by customers ensured the topics were current, relevant, educational and stimulated discussion. We plan to hold more of these seminars in March 2009 visiting cities we did not reach this time. Click here for an agenda and an example of presentations given |
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Recent advances in the Management of Free Light Chain Disease - UK Roadshow Review |
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Don’t forget to visit our webinars page regularly to view webinars held in the USA by Binding Site Inc. We have recently added a webinar entitled: A Clinical Perspective of Serum Free Light Chain Analysis, presented by Donna E. Reece, M.D., Associate Professor and Director of the Program for Multiple Myeloma and Related Diseases in the Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology at Princess Margaret Hospital/University of Toronto. |
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Webinars |
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Healthcare professional viewpoint |
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XLV ERA/EDTA 10-13 May 2008, Stockholm, Sweden This meeting was very well attended and many Nephrologists chose to visit the Binding Site stand to discuss the use of Freelite in assessing patients with renal disease. Many are already using Freelite as a patient screening tool to rule in or rule out Myeloma as a cause of renal failure. There was also significant interest in the haemodialysis trial using the Gambro HCO1100 dialyser. Visit http://www.abstracts2view.com/era08/ to review the abstracts presented at this meeting - just register to review. |
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Next key meetings: AACC Annual Meeting 2008 http://www.aacc.org/events/ann_meet 27th - 31st July 2008, Washington, DC, US |
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Renal Week http://www.asn-online.org/education_and_meetings/renal_week/ 4-9 November 2008 Philadelphia, US |
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ASH http://www.hematology.org/meetings/2008/index.cfm 6-9 December 2008, San Francisco UK. Abstract deadline August 21, 2008 |
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12th International Workshop on Myeloma 26 February - 1 March 2009, New Delhi, India. Abstract deadline 25 September 2008 |
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World Congress of Nephrology http://www.wcn2009.org/ 22-26 May 2009, Milan, Italy. Abstract submission deadline: 9 January 2009 14th Congress of the European Haematology Association 4-7 June 2009, Berlin, Germany. Abstract submission deadline: 1 March 2009 XLVII ERA-EDTA Congress 25-28 June 2010 Munich, Germany |
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Business Development Manager - Freelite |
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Find out more about serum free light chains at www.freelite.co.uk |
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Having problems viewing or printing this newsletter? Click here to view online. Previous editions of InSite can also be read online here. |