Lenalidomide delays multiple myeloma progression

Combination therapy with lenalidomide [Revlimid] and dexamethasone is an effective treatment for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, according to results from two pivotal phase III trials presented at the 47th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) [Atlanta, Georgia, US; December 2005]. The multinational MM-010 trial and the North American MM-009 trial evaluated the benefits of adding lenalidomide to standard therapy with dexamethasone. Data from the MM-010 trial showed that patients receiving combination therapy experienced a significantly longer time to disease progression. The MM-009 trial demonstrated that combination therapy was associated with significant improvements in overall survival. Furthermore, a phase II study presented at the meeting showed that combination therapy with lenalidomide and dexamethasone is an effective treatment for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.