Celgene’s Revlimid meets study goal of slowing multiple myeloma progression
By APFriday, December 18, 2009
Celgene’s Revlimid meets cancer study goal
Summit, N.J. — Celgene Corp. said Friday data from a late-stage study show Revlimid significantly slowed the progression of multiple myeloma in patients following a type of stem cell treatment.
The study is being conducted by the National Cancer Institute, which is part of the National Institutes of Health. It involves patients who have received autologous stem cell transplants, a procedure where stem cells are removed from a person’s bone marrow prior to chemotherapy, then reintroduced after chemotherapy. The goal is for the stem cells to produce healthy new blood cells.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer affecting plasma cells. Revlimid is already approved as treatment for multiple myeloma patients who have received at least one prior therapy. It is also approved as a type of anemia treatment.
Celgene said further results from the National Cancer Institute study will be presented in 2010.
