The European Commission has approved two of Celgene’s combination regimens involving Revlimid (lenalidomide) and Imnovid (pomalidomide).
The first, Revlimid in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (RVd) is for the indication of adult patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma who are not eligible for transplant.
The second combo is Imnovid in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (PVd), in adult patients with multiple myeloma, who have received at least one prior treatment regimen including Revlimid.
The approval for the Revlimid triplet (RVd) was supported by data from SWOG S0777 phase III trial evaluating the combination, RVd, in adult patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma.
The approval of the Imnovid triplet (PVd) was supported by data from OPTIMISMM phase III trial to evaluate an Imnovid-based triplet regimen in patients who were all previously treated with Revlimid.
The approval of these combination therapies “Marks a significant milestone for patients with multiple myeloma in Europe,” said Nadim Ahmed, president of Haematology and Oncology for Celgene.
“With these new triplet regimens we hope to improve outcomes for both newly diagnosed patients as well as those who have relapsed or become refractory to first-line therapy. IMiD agents have brought significant benefit to multiple myeloma patients and we are committed to advancing our pipeline of novel myeloma treatments in order to ensure physicians and patients continue to have new treatment options available to fight this disease.”
Multiple myeloma is a life-threatening blood cancer that is characterised by tumour proliferation and suppression of the immune system. It is a rare but deadly disease – around 42,000 people are diagnosed with multiple myeloma in Europe, and approximately 26,000 people die from the disease each year.
