International Myeloma Foundation: one study noted that long-term maintenance therapy demonstrates an overall survival rate of 90%.
Madrid, 2011-may the Foundation International of myeloma (IMF), the most ancient and important foundation dedicated to the improvement of life and care for myeloma patients, said on Thursday that new data show that maintenance therapy with REVLIMID (R) (the Celgene biopharmaceutical company) after the transplantation of cells (bone marrow) mother delay time to disease progression and improves survival in general. The figures for the study of the B group of cancer and leukemia (CALGB), sponsored by the Instituto Nacional of the cancer of United States, have demonstrated a survival rate of 90% in the branch of REVLIMID trial after more than two years after the transplant in comparison to the survival rate of 83% of patients who received placebo *. The study also showed that the maintenance with REVLIMID resulted in revisions to longer, delaying the progression of the disease by an average of four years. These findings were presented at the 13th annual international the Myeloma Workshop in Paris
This clearly validates an important treatment option for patients ”, points out Dr. Kenneth Anderson, of Cancer Institute Dana-Farber. The development of new dedicated drugs, such as REVLIMID, that are well tolerated, has allowed us to take account of this approach, and with these new survival data of long-term maintenance can add to our arsenal as a new standard of care ”.
Terry Barter, a patient of Dr. Anderson, was included in one of the first clinical trials of the REVLIMID, and still continues to take the drug almost ten years later: I ride my motorcycle, I’m going to work every day, I have energy, almost do not have side effects. It has simply been a drug for me ”.
A similar study on REVLIMID after the transplant, the French myeloma francophone Intergroup (IFM) also shows benefits in the progression of the disease-free survival, patients who live longer without it manifests in an active way. And considering the maintenance as an option with other drugs including VELCADE ® when administered in low doses, or as a subcutaneous injection rather than the traditional intravenous.
There is a problem with a small number of second cancers that develop in patients taking REVLIMID in the long term. Possible factors, including genetic profiles and previous treatments of the patients being studied.
There is a risk/benefit relationship in all of the powerful medications, but overall survival shows clearly that in this case, the benefits offset to spare any risk ”, says Dr. Brian G.M. Durie, Chairman of the IMF, who is co-author of a retrospective analysis of REVLIMID and second cancers was also presented at the Conference.
Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma is a cancer that affects the cells in the bone marrow and blood can cause damage to the bone. It has no cure.
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about the International Foundation of myeloma
the International Myeloma Foundation is the Organization of the myeloma oldest and largest, with more than 195,000 members from 113 countries around the world. Organization non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life for their families, the IMF and myeloma patients focuses on four key areas: research, education, support and defence. To date, the IMF has held more than 200 educational seminars around the world, maintains a line of help of world-renowned and managed Bank on a Cure ®, unique genetic Bank used to advance myeloma research.
