Celgene’s Revlimid shows potential for smouldering multiple myeloma

Celgene has highlighted data from a newly-published clinical study showing the potential its drug Revlimid can offer to smouldering multiple myeloma patients.

Results have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine from a phase III trial evaluating treatment with Revlimid in combination with dexamethasone – followed by Revlimid maintenance therapy – in patients with high-risk asymptomatic smouldering multiple myeloma.

It was found that Celgene's drug was able to significantly improve the median length of time to progression to symptomatic disease and three-year overall survival rates among patients in this group, compared to those receiving no therapy.

Smouldering multiple myeloma is an early asymptomatic form of the disease that is characterised by a ten percent annual risk of progression to symptomatic disease over the first five years.

Currently, Revlimid is not approved for use in this indication in any territories.

These new findings come after data from another Revlimid trial last month demonstrated the drug's efficacy in the treatment of newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma.