FDA grants REVLIMID approval for Multiple Myeloma

A number of news reports the past few days have announced a landmark decision for Multiple Myeloma patients -- FDA approval for Revlimid to treat multiple myeloma in patients who have failed to respond to a previous treatment.

Last month the FDA approved Thalomid to treat patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

In June 2006, Celgene presented data demonstrating improved survival with Revlimid in previously treated patients with multiple myeloma by at least a year compared with those receiving chemotherapy plus a placebo. About half of the patients in the placebo group had died within two years, while more than half the patients in the Revlimid group were still alive after three years.