EU expanded indication for Velcade in Multiple Myeloma

The European Commission has approved Velcade for an expanded indication for Multiple Myeloma.

Velcade has been approved as an induction therapy in combination with dexamethasone or thalidomide and dexamethasone among adult patients with previously-untreated Multiple Myeloma who are eligible for high-dose chemotherapy with haematological stem cell transplantation.

Results from two phase III trials showed that Velcade can deliver improvements in post-induction and post-transplant response rates and in progression-free survival for this patient group. Previously, Velcade was limited to use in combination with melphalan and prednisone among multiple myeloma patients who were previously untreated and ineligible for stem cell transplant, or as a single agent in advanced multiple myeloma.