MMRF reports on Revlimid plus Dex trial

Today, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Celgene reported that, according to a preliminary analysis of a large, randomized Phase III trial in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients, REVLIMID (lenalidomide) in combination with low-dose dexamethasone was associated with improved survival when compared with a treatment regimen that included REVLIMID plus standard-dose dexamethasone. Specifically, after one year, the survival in the low-dose arm was 96 percent as compared to 86 in the standard-dose arm. In addition, there were fewer side effects associated with the REVLIMID and low-dose dexamethasone arm.

Detailed results from this trial will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in early June.

The trial was sponsored by the NCI, and conducted by a network of researchers led by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG).

While these results are incredibly exciting for myeloma patients, the MMRF reminds patients not to make any changes in their treatment regimen without speaking to their doctor first. This study was conducted in a newly diagnosed population, and it is important to understand that the results cannot necessarily be extrapolated to treatment for any other stage of the disease.