Data Presented at ASCO Finds REVLIMID as a Monotherapy is Effective and Well-Tolerated for Previously Treated Multiple Myeloma Patients
Study Further Validates REVLIMID's Role in the Treatment of
Multiple Myeloma Helping to Change the Previously Incurable Blood
Cancer into a Chronic, Manageable Disease
TAMPA, Fla.--(Business Wire)--
The Moffitt Cancer Center today said findings from a clinical
trial presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
meeting evaluating REVLIMID (lenalidomide) as a monotherapy is both
effective and well-tolerated in patients who have been previously
treated for multiple myeloma with two or more therapies.
In the study, 26% of relapsed refractory multiple myeloma patients
treated with REVLIMID as a single achieved an overall response, either
complete or partial remission, and 66% of patients experienced stable
disease. The median overall survival was 1.9 years with 41% of
patients alive after three years. Prior to this innovative therapy the
median overall survival was less than a year. Additionally, the
duration of response was 13 months.
"REVLIMID is a novel, oral, targeted immune modulator cancer
therapy with impressive clinical data in both newly diagnosed and
previously treated multiple myeloma that shows REVLIMID can provide
durable, long-lasting results for patients," said Dr. Mohamad Hussein,
Head Multiple Myeloma Section, Moffitt Cancer Center. "This study
demonstrates that REVLIMID is effective in treating patients in which
other therapies have failed without complimentary steroids or
chemotherapy that can potentially cause serious side effects helping
patients to live longer with a better quality of life."
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of one of the immune cells that
affects production of red cells, white cells and platelets. It is the
second most prevalent and fastest growing of the blood cancers,
affecting an estimated 750,000 people worldwide and 60,000 patients in
the U.S.
REVLIMID is the newest of what are called immune modulators which
have changed the outlook for patients with multiple myeloma and enable
doctors to treat the previously incurable cancer as a chronic,
manageable condition. It is an oral drug that can be taken at home and
doesn't have some of the difficult side effects associated with
traditional chemotherapy because it targets the cancer cells directly
along with the factors that support their growth.
About Moffitt Cancer Center
Located in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center (www.moffitt.org)
is the only Florida-based cancer center with the NCI designation as a
Comprehensive Cancer Center for its excellence in research and
contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control.
Moffitt currently has 15 affiliates in Florida, one in Georgia and two
in Puerto Rico. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National
Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country's
leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as
one of "America's Best Hospitals" for cancer and ear, nose and throat.
Moffitt's sole mission is to contribute to the prevention and cure of
cancer.
The Moffitt Cancer Center
Nancy Johnson, 813-745-1478
nancy.johnson@moffitt.org
Copyright Business Wire 2008
