European Commision approval for Revlimid, bortezomib and dexamethasone

Celgene Corporation announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved two new triplet regimens based on Celgene’s proprietary IMiD treatments, Revlimid (lenalidomide) and Imnovid (pomalidomide). Revlimid in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (RVd), is now indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma who are not eligible for transplant. In addition, Imnovid, in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (PVd), is now indicated for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior treatment regimen including lenalidomide. The choice of treatment in a first-line therapy setting is important as patients progressively become less responsive to therapy, and experience shorter periods of remission at later lines of treatment. Studies have shown that RVd can provide newly diagnosed patients that are not eligible for a transplant with a treatment option that significantly prolongs the first remission. The approval for the Revlimid triplet (RVd) was supported by data from SWOG S07773, a phase III trial evaluating the triplet combination, RVd, in adult patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma.